KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu Project Stalls Over Funding Gaps – Stakeholders Urge Continuity with Nwodo-led Committee

ENUGU, Nigeria – Work has temporarily halted at the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu following funding shortfalls that coincided with the end of the tenure of the Supreme Subordinate commandery executives that initiated the landmark project. The development has stirred conversations within the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and among observers who say that the next leadership should demonstrate vision, courage, and continuity by sustaining the pace of work and retaining the Nnia Nwodo-led Building Committee.

A Legacy Project on Hold

The KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu, which broke ground in April 2025, was envisioned as a major spiritual, administrative, and economic asset to the Knights of St. John International and the wider Catholic community in Nigeria. According to GMTNewsng’s earlier reports – “Knights of St. John International Lays Foundation for Retreat & Conference Centre in Enugu” (April 2, 2025) and “KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Rising: Supreme Subordinate Commandery Applauds Remarkable Progress in Enugu” (July 5, 2025) – the project had achieved remarkable structural progress under the supervision of the Building Committee chaired by former Minister of Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

The pause in work, sources disclosed, stemmed from funding constraints that arose after the outgoing Supreme Subordinate commandery executive led by Supreme Subordinate President, Major General (Prof.) Remy Uche, concluded its tenure. The vacuum in leadership has temporarily disrupted the mobilization of new resources and slowed ongoing construction.

Nwodo: ‘We Must Not Lose Momentum’

Speaking on the development, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who was President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, reaffirmed his committee’s commitment to ensuring the project’s successful completion, describing it as a “spiritual and communal investment in the future of the Order.”

“We have come too far to lose momentum,” Nwodo said. “The KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu is not just a physical structure – it is a statement of faith, discipline, and unity. Despite the temporary halt due to funding, our vision remains intact. With sustained support and continuity, this centre will stand as a beacon of service and fellowship for generations to come.”

Nwodo expressed appreciation to members of the Order, donors, and well-wishers who contributed to the early phases of construction, emphasizing transparency and prudent management of resources as the committee’s guiding principles. He assured that every naira expended had been judiciously accounted for, even as he appealed for renewed contributions to enable the committee to resume full operations once a new Supreme commandery leadership emerges.

Diyoke, Ifeagwazi, and Nnaji Reaffirm Support

In separate remarks, some prominent members of the Order – including Sir Engr. Innocent Diyoke, Engr. Alex Ifeagwazi, and Capt. Engr. Greg Nnaji – commended the Building Committee’s efficiency and called for strategic funding partnerships to sustain progress.

Diyoke praised the committee for what he termed “an extraordinary sense of purpose and accountability,” stressing that the Nwodo-led team had given the project credibility.

“This is one of the most transparent and disciplined building efforts we’ve seen in years,” he said. “It would be a huge loss to abandon the momentum because of a change in leadership. Continuity is essential, and the next executive must make this project a top priority.”

Ifeagwazi, a senior officer of the Order, noted that beyond its religious value, the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu holds immense social and economic prospects for the region.

“When completed, this centre will not only serve KSJI members but also provide conference facilities that can attract regional events, retreats, and leadership training. It’s a project that can sustain itself over time if properly managed,” he said.

Former Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Capt. Engr. Greg Nnaji, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that construction projects of such magnitude require consistency.

“In development management, continuity determines success,” Nnaji noted. “This committee has already mastered the technical, financial, and architectural frameworks of the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu. Retaining them ensures institutional memory and accelerates delivery.”

Stakeholders and Observers: ‘Continuity Is a Moral Imperative’

Observers within the Order and independent stakeholders have urged the incoming Supreme commandery executive to sustain the committee’s structure, arguing that institutional stability is crucial for the timely completion of the project.

According to them, the Nwodo-led committee has earned trust for its professionalism, teamwork, and efficient resource deployment.

“The new administration should continue with a system that’s already working,” one observer told GMTNewsng. “What the project needs now is funding and encouragement for the committee.”

Others argue that the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu has grown into a symbol of collective pride and must not be allowed to suffer setbacks over leadership transitions. They say the gains achieved so far – including structural works, landscaping, and architectural precision – demonstrate both the viability and long-term importance of the project.

Spiritual Director’s Earlier Charge Resonates

The call for continuity echoes sentiments expressed by the KSJI National Supreme Subordinate Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Michael Omueghele, during the foundation-laying ceremony in April 2025. Quoted in GMTNewsng’s previous coverage, he had described the project as “an altar of renewal and service.”

“This KSJI retreat and conference centre will be a sanctuary for prayer, discipline, and leadership formation,” the Spiritual Director said at the time. “It will remind every Knight that our mission is not only to build walls but to build men and women committed to the gospel of justice and peace.”

His words, observers say, have become even more relevant now that the project stands at a crossroads between vision and reality.

A Call to Renewed Commitment

Analysts believe the resumption of work on the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu will depend largely on the early take-off of the incoming commandery leadership. They recommend that all hands should be on deck to ensure that the new executive continues from where the former team stopped.

As the Knights of St. John International prepare for their leadership transition by the end of November 2025, members and well-wishers across Nigeria are watching closely to see the hum of machinery return to the site once more.

Chief Nnia Nwodo and his team have pledged to remain available for technical and advisory support, provided that the Order sustains its commitment to completion.

“We are ready to continue serving in whatever capacity the new leadership deems necessary,” Nwodo said, reaffirming that their ultimate goal is “to see the KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu completed, consecrated, and fully operational.”

The Road Ahead

The KSJI Retreat and Conference Centre Enugu stands as more than a physical structure; it is a metaphor for unity, resilience, and faith in communal progress. For an organization renowned for discipline and brotherhood, the unfinished project serves as both a challenge and an opportunity – a reminder that enduring achievements come through continuity, not interruption.

Stakeholders agree that if the new executive prioritizes the project and retains the experienced hands steering it, Enugu and the Knights community will soon celebrate the completion of one of the most iconic Catholic facilities in Southeast Nigeria.

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