Sir Anthony Chiejina, VGC Sub-Council Grand Knight, Calls For Prudence As Basis for Christian Leadership Foundation

Sir Anthony Chiejina

OpenLife News reports  that the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM), Victoria Garden City (VGC) Sub-Council, Lagos State has been charged to embrace the virtue of prudence as a guiding principle for personal conduct, leadership, and service to the Catholic Church in particular, and humanity in general.

The charge was given by the Grand Knight (GK) of the Sub-Council, Sir Anthony Chiejina during a lecture titled “Living the Virtue of Prudence: Lessons from the Servant of God, Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua,” delivered at the Ojefua Day/KSM Founder’s Day Lecture held at Ss Philip & James Catholic Church, Idado, Lekki, Lagos.

Sir Chiejina described prudence as one of the four cardinal virtues of Christian life, alongside justice, fortitude, and temperance, stressing that it goes beyond caution or hesitation, and represents “grace-filled, supernatural wisdom” that enables Christians to discern the right course of action.

 

According to him, “St. Thomas Aquinas described prudence as ‘auriga virtutum’, the ‘charioteer of the virtues’, because it directs other virtues towards truthful, balanced, and morally responsible action.

“Prudence enables us to see clearly, judge rightly, and act wisely at the right time, in the right manner, and for the right reason,” he said, warning that courage without prudence could become recklessness, generosity could turn into wastefulness, and justice could become harshness.

Reflecting on the life and contributions of Fr. Abraham Ojefua, founder of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Chiejina said his establishment of the organisation in 1953 demonstrated “a masterful act of prudence” at a time when the Catholic Church in Nigeria faced challenges posed by secret societies and the need for a disciplined lay association.

He noted that rather than responding with fear or complaints, Fr. Ojefua created a constructive alternative, a faith-based fraternity committed to supporting the clergy, strengthening Catholic identity, and contributing to societal development.

The speaker highlighted three dimensions of Ojefua’s leadership driven by prudence: spiritual prudence rooted in divine wisdom, pastoral and visionary prudence, and structural and administrative prudence.

He said the priest’s commitment to education and spiritual formation was reflected in the establishment of institutions including Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State; Mater Dei College, Ashaka, Delta State; and St. John’s College, Fugar, Edo State, while also promoting monastic communities in Awhum, Enugu State, and Illah in Delta State.

Chiejina also urged Knights to apply prudence in the digital age, describing social media as a tool that should be used for evangelisation, promoting truth and building of communities, rather than spreading misinformation, gossip, insults, and division.

The Grand Knight said Fr. Ojefua, if alive today, would have deployed digital platforms to announce Christ, educate the faithful and reach young people, while rejecting the misuse of technology for self-promotion and controversy.

The Speaker challenged members of the order to demonstrate prudence in their families, the Church and society, insisting that Catholic identity must not be separated from public responsibility.

He warned against compromise, corruption, and the pursuit of personal gain among Christians occupying positions of authority, and urged Knights to see leadership positions as sacred responsibilities rather than opportunities for self-enrichment.

“True knightly prudence in governance demands a radical departure from the status quo,” he said, adding that members must uphold institutional integrity, defend the vulnerable, and stand for justice even when it is inconvenient.

Chiejina further advised the assembled Knights to approach major decisions through reflection, prayer, consultation, and consideration of the impact of their actions on others.

He concluded that “prudence is not weakness; it is disciplined wisdom that enables Christians to serve without pride, speak without harm, lead without selfishness and act responsibly.

“Following the inspiring example of Fr. Abraham Anselm Ojefua and the courageous witness of our patron, St. Mathias Kalemba Mulumba, let us go forth into our families, parishes and wider society as true soldiers of Christ; prudent in counsel, courageous in battle, steadfast in faith, and boundless in charity,” he said.