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Abbas, Akume Back Knights’ ₦2bn Humanitarian Fund As Ododo Declares Kogi Unsafe For Bandits
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, have thrown their weight behind the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria’s N2 billion Endowment Fund, describing it as a landmark initiative that will deepen charity, strengthen national cohesion and provide sustainable support for vulnerable Nigerians.
The leaders spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the official unveiling of the KSM Nigeria Endowment Fund and Integrated Charity Initiative, a long-term financing mechanism designed to fund the Catholic Order’s humanitarian programmes through investment returns rather than periodic fundraising.
Represented by his Special Assistant, Chief Simon Tyungu, Akume said the initiative symbolises the institutionalisation of compassion, the sustainability of charity and the deliberate investment in humanity.
He noted that the launch of the endowment fund went beyond raising money, describing it as “a bold declaration that genuine service to God must find practical expression in service to mankind.”
The SGF commended the Knights of St. Mulumba for more than seven decades of promoting Christian values, moral discipline, social justice and selfless service across Nigeria.
According to him, the Order has consistently demonstrated that authentic faith extends beyond worship to uplifting the poor, supporting education, caring for vulnerable people, strengthening family values and promoting peace and national unity.
Akume stressed that government alone could not solve Nigeria’s development challenges, calling for stronger partnerships among faith-based organisations, the private sector, civil society and patriotic citizens.
“The challenges confronting our nation today demand innovative and sustainable responses from all segments of society. Government alone cannot address every developmental challenge,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to partnering with credible religious organisations in advancing social development and peaceful coexistence.
Akume also urged individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the fund, describing every donation as “an investment in hope, dignity and a more compassionate society.”
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Christian Pilgrimage Affairs, Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye, Speaker Abbas described the endowment fund as a visionary initiative that institutionalises charity for lasting societal impact.
He said the initiative reflects the understanding that humanitarian work should not only address present challenges but also create sustainable structures for future interventions.
“The establishment of an endowment fund dedicated to sustaining humanitarian service demonstrates remarkable foresight. It reflects the timeless wisdom that charity should not merely respond to today’s needs but should be institutionalised to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Abbas said.
The Speaker praised the Knights for over 70 years of service to humanity through charity, justice, compassion and community development, noting that the organisation has consistently supported vulnerable groups while promoting values that foster national unity and social cohesion.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen the Order’s capacity to undertake impactful humanitarian projects and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Earlier, the Supreme Knight of the Order, Sir Steve Zakari Adehi (SAN), disclosed that the organisation aims to raise an initial N2 billion to establish a professionally managed endowment fund whose investment income will permanently finance its charity programmes.
He explained that the Order’s traditional reliance on members’ dues and levies had become unsustainable due to declining membership, economic hardship and increasing humanitarian demands.
According to him, the endowment will preserve its core capital while using only investment proceeds to fund charitable activities, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Adehi revealed that constitutional safeguards are being introduced to prevent current or future leadership from accessing the principal fund, while independent auditors will oversee its operations to guarantee transparency and accountability.
He said proceeds from the endowment would support seven key intervention areas, including healthcare outreach, educational scholarships, humanitarian relief for victims of violence, empowerment of widows and orphans, correctional centre support, pro bono legal services and emergency assistance for communities affected by ecological or economic crises.
The Supreme Knight expressed optimism over the initiative, disclosing that members, philanthropists, corporate organisations, foundations and some state governments had already indicated support for the fund.
In the same vein, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared that the state is no longer a safe haven for kidnappers, bandits and armed robbers, citing major security operations that neutralised top criminal kingpins in 2026.
Ododo who stated this at the programme, said the focus of the Endowment Fund on aiding victims of violence and terrorism aligns with the priorities of his administration.
“The core of this initiative and the core of my administration are united on the same principle. Security and humanitarian activities are the highest priority of my government — not for its own sake, but because behind every kidnapping, every act of banditry, and every terrorist attack, there is a family whose life has been shattered,” he said.
Ododo said Kogi faced criminal spillover from neighbouring states after he assumed office in January 2024. In response, his administration absorbed 2,752 vigilantes into a structured framework, equipped over 1,050 hunters across 21 LGAs, established a Quick Response Unit, procured 50 armoured patrol vans, and deployed combat drones.
He also noted the establishment of a new 21 Battalion Barracks at Anyigba in partnership with the Nigerian Army.
Highlighting results, the governor said 23 kidnap victims were rescued along Ayegunle-Bunu Road earlier this year and an attempted abduction of primary school pupils in Iluke was foiled.
He disclosed that two notorious bandit leaders were neutralised in joint operations.
Kachalla Kabiru, described as the central coordinator of banditry across 7 states, was killed in February. In June, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo and 15 gang members were also eliminated during an operation that foiled a planned mass abduction of WAEC candidates in Iluke.
“These men were national nightmares. They terrorised communities across seven states. In our state, they finally met the justice they had for so long evaded,” Ododo said.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for air support and the ₦5.41 trillion allocation to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
The governor said security is only the foundation, adding that his administration has invested heavily in human capital.
He listed quarterly palliatives for poor households, ₦7 billion to rehabilitate 88 Primary Health Centres, upgrade of over 300 PHCs, and the launch of the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme in October 2025.
In his welcome address, the Metropolitan Grand Knight of Abuja Metropolitan Council, Hon. Chevalier (Sir) Jimoh Abiodun Johnson, described the launch as a historic milestone in the life of the Order.
Johnson said the initiative represents a shift from ad hoc charitable interventions to structured and sustainable humanitarian programmes capable of transforming lives for generations.
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