BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
A Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of Abakaliki Diocese, Rev Fr Dr John Odey has unveiled his 46th book.
Fr Odey often described as Chinua Achebe of Ebonyi State for his great writing prowess called for revival of reading culture, among Nigerian youths.
The Prolific Writer in his most recent ten chapters and 479 pages narrative titled, "The Forbidden Truth and The Cloud of Witness: How Rev Fr Emmanuel Obuna ruled and crippled Abakaliki Diocese."
The volume one of the bok was recently unveiled at People's Club Abakaliki during an official ceremony of presentation to the public tends to expose some ills in the state described as "the forbidden truth" for possible corrections and progress of the body of Christ in Abakaliki Diocese.
During an interview, Fr Odoh regretted that most people have lost interest in reading in the country and called for prompt revival of reading culture especially among Nigerian youths for progress of the nation and humanity in general.
He noted that truth and justice can never be killed even at the death of the proclaimer/ carrier.
"We are here to launch my latest book. I wrote 45 earlier. This is the 46th one.
"It is titled: "The Forbidden Truth and The Cloud of Witness." There are certain things that happened in Ebonyi State in the Diocese which efforts were made to sweep it under the carpet.
"These are the things I tried to bring up so that now we have new administration he will know where and how to start to correct them because Catholic Church is a light to the people. Am happy to have stood by the truth all these years and face it.
"That's the idea of this book not to attack any body. For the wound to heal it has to be opened.
"Today we are celebrating my survival with this book. For those who fight for justice and truth will ever win. Because if for telling the truth i am killed, nobody will kill the truth. If for saying that justice should prevail am killed nobody will kill justice because the whole world will continue to shout let there be justice. So, as long as you fight for truth and justice no man will have victory over you. We have all won in God's name. From the day God created the world human problem have not be solved. There have always been people fighting for the truth. Am not here to solve all the problems Jesus died on the cross to solve these problems but couldn't, who am i? A sinner but am doing my best. It is my gift from God to fight against ills of the society through my writings. I read moral theology and I know the doctrines, through this very book I have proclaim social teachings of the church."
The book reviewer a United Kingdom trained Security and Intelligent Expert, Mr Benedict Chinedum-Okoro explained in an interview that the book is a descriptive and narrative write up aimed at correcting anomalies in the society and advised all duke and harry to use their authorities/powers to the glory of God and progress of all mankind, not the opposite.
"The priesthood is a calling, we are here celebrating because someone decided to work the road less traveled by men, that is John Odey.
"You can't leave the priesthood because some people do what you don't like. I enjoin them to understand that the priesthood is a costly venture, so, they must stand firm to fight all those internal misgivings/ issues that make it difficult for them to enjoy their priesthood. So, anything that prevents you from attaining your divine plan ,fight against it.
"The expositions in the book will perhaps lead to further interrogations and discussion continuous. The book is a dialogue. The new Bishop Nworie Chukwu is a seasoned Administrator has managed people for the virtue of being in the academics. If he is not yet thinking towards it, my advice to him is we are all humans whether we are in a theocratic setting, democracy or facisist government, humans are humans and must be managed carefully. He should be more interested in the humanity in leadership of the church and not its politics.
Collaborating him, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi state University Abakaliki, Prof Francis Idike called for continuous celebration of Father Odey for always standing out of the crowd.
"Fr Odey as far as am concerned is a father of the masses. Very out spoken person who doesn't entertain oppression even if it is coming from his own superior. That is the kind of person he is and am happy that he is being celebrated.
"People who are different from the crowd should always be celebrated. Unfortunately I haven't read the book to make informed comments about it but there is no book written by father Odey apart from this that I haven't read. Am eager to start reading it as usual. I know this very one contains a lot."
On their parts, Chairman of the Public Presentation ceremony, Chief Mathias Adum and his planning committee counterpart, Prof Clement Okonkwo expressed optimism that the book will assist the new Chief Shepherd of the flock in the diocese to pilot affairs credibly.
The book launch as organized by Friends of Father Odey was attended by people from all works of life both from within and outside Ebonyi State.
