When true leadership meets purpose, history is made.

The recent welfare and evangelisation visit of the Port Harcourt Grand Leadership to District 49, led by the Grand President, Brig. Gen. P.M.C. Okeke, alongside the Grand Respected President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Lady Theresa Akugbo Barong, JP, left a significant mark on the Commanderies in Bayelsa State.

The spiritual and humanitarian weekend, hosted at St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa, brought together faith, fraternity, welfare and service, culminating in a profound initiative aimed at creating opportunities for vulnerable and less-privileged children.

Demonstrating pastoral concern and a commitment to human development, the Grand Leadership officially launched an Education Trust Fund dedicated to supporting vulnerable and less-privileged children in the region.

To kick-start the initiative, the Grand President personally presented an initial take-off donation of ₦500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) on behalf of his family.

The gesture gave practical expression to the Christian responsibility to care for those in need and to use leadership as an instrument for creating opportunities for others.

Speaking during the presentation, Brig. Gen. P.M.C. Okeke reassured the three Commanderies in Bayelsa State of his commitment to expanding the frontiers of the Noble Order.

The Grand President expressed his determination to support the chartering of more Commanderies and increase the numerical strength and presence of the Knights of St. John International across Bayelsa State.

His remarks reflected a broader vision in which evangelisation, membership growth, welfare and service to humanity remain interconnected aspects of the mission of the Order.

Beyond the establishment of the Education Trust Fund, members of the Grand Leadership and visiting delegates also made generous donations in support of ongoing projects at St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Agudama-Epie.

These interventions reinforced the longstanding commitment of the Knights of St. John International to the Holy Mother Church and demonstrated that the welfare and evangelisation visit went beyond words of encouragement to practical acts of support.

The visit to District 49 therefore became more than an engagement with members. It was a demonstration of purposeful leadership, Christian charity and a shared determination to strengthen both the Church and the Noble Order.

Through the Education Trust Fund, support for parish projects and the commitment to expanding KSJI in Bayelsa State, the Port Harcourt Grand Leadership continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its fullest expression in service.

Faith in action. Leadership with purpose. Service to God and humanity.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Sir Engr. John Dan Aputu