1. 12 noon: Arrival of Guests
2. Introduction of Guests
3. Opening Prayer
4. Welcome Address by the Author
5. Chairman’s Opening Speech
6. Music! Music!! Music!!!
7. Books Review by Barr. Gift Major
8. Free Speeches
9. Books Presentation
10. Music! Music!! Music!!!
11. Vote of Thanks
12. Refreshment
13. Closing Prayer
AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR FRANK ENEAWAJI OGWUONUONU ON THE OCCASION OF BOOKS PRESENTATION, ON SATURDAY, 14TH JULY, 2012.
The Chairman,
Guest of Honour,
Members of the High Table,
Lords spiritual and Temporal,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I begin with an epistle of Paul that says: Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 1 John 2:7.
I gleefully welcome you to this epoch making occasion of books presentation on this day, 14tb July, 2012. It is my pleasure to acquaint you with what the LORD GOD is doing through me.
We have come here today not by my might or power but by the special grace to support the work of God. God is my inspiration and creator. The works we have come here today to support are not mine but God’s. Humanity is panting for positive change, especially the Nigerian nation. This positive change will only come when there is collective contribution to help each other or one another like the ants. We are advised by the word of God to learn from the ants. But oftentimes, man works individually and selfishly to the detriment of progress, peace and unity.
Thus, before the death of Charles Wesley in 1788, he wrote this life inspiring hymn:
1. Help us to help each other, Lord,
Each other’s cross to bear,
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel his brother’s care
2. Help us to build each other up,
Our little stock improve;
Increase our faith confirm our hope
And perfect us in love.
3. Up into thee, our living head,
Let us in all things grow,
Till thou hast made us free indeed,
And spotless here below.
4. Then, when the might work is wrought,
Receive thy ready bride;
Give us in heaven a happy lot
With all the sanctified. Amen.
Yes, somebody out there needs these books to change his or her destiny and your support can do that to the glory of God. It is not a far-fetched story that events of man give room for history to strive. God with His fathomless and insurmountable wisdom has given me the privilege to write and publish books. But with your support today, I remain undaunted by all difficulties to let the world know the glory and power of God in man. Please, let somebody or a child have a copy each of the books through your support. Indeed, the reading of these books would help improve the standard of education and the reading culture.
I don’t have much to say as usual; but all I have to say is, God bless you as you help make these books available to others. Help us to help each other, Lord.
May the Lord who has made you to support my works, bless you richly in Jesus name.
Amen
REVIEW OF THE BOOK TITLED “THE SPEAKING BLOOD”
BY FRANK ENEAWAJI OGWUONUONU
This 86 page book with 12 chapters and published this year is a superlative exposition on the subject of the blood from all angles. Starting from the first chapter the author embarks on a journey to unveil to the simplest form the mystery of the blood. The other eleven chapters are also unique as they all touch on the various aspects of the blood.
Furthermore, the author with a combination of some life testimonies which are told in the first person narrative as they were from his experience sheds more light on the efficacy of the blood and the misuse of the blood, especially on pages 25, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 54 and 55. There are also references to the unwarranted and mindless shedding of blood in our country Nigeria on page 60. In fact as I was writing this review, reports came in from Jos the capital of Plateau state that Fulani herdsmen had unleashed terror on some communities killing a lot of people. In addition, the author seemed to have spoken prophetically, though he was referring to divine vengeance when he wrote on page 61 as follows, “It is imminent that there will be a revenge whether you like it or not.” Well, we did see a shadow of it in Kaduna recently when Christians had to fight back after a number of churches were bombed with the attendant high casualties on a Sunday by the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Moreover, I wish to emphasise that even God forbade the eating of blood because of its life carrying nature. This can be found in the book of Leviticus chapter 17 verses 10 to 14 from the New Century Version reads as follows,
“I will be against any citizen of Israel or foreigner living with you who eats blood. I will cut off that person from the people. This is because the life of the body is in the blood, and I have given you rules for pouring that blood on the altar to remove your sins so you will belong to the Lord. It is the blood that removes the sins, because it is life. So I tell the people of Israel this: None of you may eat blood, and no foreigner living among you may eat blood. If any citizen of Israel or foreigner living among you catches a wild animal or bird that can be eaten, that person must pour the blood on the ground and cover it with dirt. If blood is still in the meat, the animal’s life is still in it. So I give this command to the people of Israel: Don’t eat meat that still has blood in it, because the animal’s life is in its blood. Anyone who eats blood must be cut off.”
In conclusion, the author amplifies his message of tolerance and respect for the sanctity of human life while advocating for all those in the evil game of bloodletting to retrace their steps. The book is aptly wrapped up with the message that the precious blood of Jesus Christ speaks better things, than any other blood, whether of humans or animals because Jesus Christ was the last and best blood sacrifice as He paid the supreme price for our sins on the cross of Calvary.
Ladies and gentlemen, the truth is that there is no perfect book as there are some mistakes in this work, though they are not sufficient to extinguish the irrevocable theme of the importance of the blood. The author Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu has enriched our reading list with this masterpiece and his other books, all of which are being formally presented to the public on Saturday, July 14, 2012. I sincerely congratulate the author for these additions to our library collections and commend all the books to every age and gender. Thank you.
GIFT MAJOR, ESQ.,
July 8th, 2012
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu And The Presentation Of Five Books
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu, an evangelist in the Methodist Church, Nigeria and Secretary of the Andoni Restoration Ministry, is a public analyst, a poet and a motivational speaker. He has written several books which include, YOUR DESTINY IS IN YOUR VISION, THE SECRETS OF PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL SUCCESS IS IN YOU, HE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS ON THE NATURE OF MAN, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED, THE WORD OF GOD DOES NOT MAKE SENSE? BECAUSE OF MANKIND AND BECAUSE OF JESUS, A DETERMINED CHILD, AWAJI AND ALABO GO TO SCHOOL, THE SWEET WATER IN IJONG, THE UNPLANNED JOURNEY, MY MOTHERS SOUP, OUR TIME OF CHANGE and others.
The prolific writer is out to present at a go, five of his books to the public. They are, “Awaji and Alabo Go To School”, written in 2009, “The Sweet Water In Ijong”, 2012 “A Determined Child”, 2011 “The Unplanned Journey, 2011 and “The Speaking Blood”, 2012.
If Frank were to be a politician launching this number of books at the same time, the hall would hardly contain the audience. It is not because he would have written them better or proffered loftier ideas as a politician. The reality of the day in out dear nation is that only politics could ensure you three uninterrupted square meals, if not nine, every day, the effect of it being the deterioration of almost every aspect of our lives.
Frank Eneawaji Egwuonuonu may not have written Nobel prize winning books, but the mere audacity to be disciplined enough to write this number of books, despite his ministry works and in spite of this rat race age when the mad pursuit of quick money is the vogue, is a commendable effort.
Moreover, Nigerians both old and young hardly indulge in the habit of reading for pleasure now except for exams. How then would a writer be encouraged to write more? Gone are the days when books like “Veronica My Daughter” and other easily readable novels like Hadley Chase, were companions of pupils and students. Now is the period to get rich quick by indulging in cultism, ‘kpofire’ the illegal refining of crude oil, kidnapping and other ignoble acts that pervade the atmosphere, fouling up the sensibilities of sane men and women. The reading culture has been relegated to the back bench and all scurry to have as much naira as possible in their pockets, enriching the pockets and depleting their intellectual capacity.
Is it “The sweet Water in Ijong” that caused the degeneration of our noble values? Is it the cause of the moral decadence eating up the moral fabrics and the conscience of the society? As depicted in the short play, the Niger Delta indigenes have been turned to servants, nay, slaves and their environment destroyed by strangers.
The play “The Sweet Water In Ijong”, aptly demonstrated the root cause of the destruction of the Niger Delta and the consequent rise of militancy. The discovery of crude oil, instead of being a blessing to the owners of the land, turns out to be a curse.
Set in the animal kingdom, the truth was told by Goat, when it said “We are eating the food we have cooked for ourselves”. To the ravaging team, Hippopotamus said, “You may be winners today but remember nemesis does not fail to follow the wicked”, while Giraffe reminds, “One day our children will revolt when they see injustice growing larger and bigger in the land”.
“A Determined Child” evokes memories of how joyous you were when as a child you were adjudged qualified to be of age to go to school, as your right hand placed across your head, touched your left ear. You feel elated, you feel special and enthusiastic like Ubok. You are happy, very happy and Frank aptly captured it.
The book set in the local town of Ebukuma in Andoni local government Area of Rivers State, really evoked memories in the mind of the child when he first started the school and how in the village, the holidays were spent fishing and carrying out domestic chores under parents or guardians. It also demonstrated the importance of education and how successful Ubok was after his education.
“Awaji and Alabo Go To School”, a play, went ahead, like ‘A Determined Child’ to demonstrate the fact that “Education is light and hope to those who live in obscure darkness. Those who embrace it will stand to lead those who do not believe in it”, as the Narrator in the play stated.
Like “A determined Child,” Awaji And Alabo Go To School” the little play, was to show the importance of education. Strangely, it was Alabo that “discovered” the school and told his friend Awaji, but it was Awaji that became the propelling force for both of them to secure admission in to school. As the narrator aptly stated, “when you don’t have knowledge, you are somebody’s fool”.
The third play is “The Unplanned Journey.” The play states the obvious that “Sickness is part of humanity”. The play shows that everyone could fall sick, man of God or not. This should go a long way to tell believers not to feel left out by God because they fell sick. God is always by your side to give you a helping hand just as Ibirien in the play, did to John.
A clear and incontrovertible statement was made by the author when he stated “God is love. If we claim to love God therefore, we must first of all show love to those we see with our eyes.” So many people ignorantly feel that only God is to be loved. So they go about pretending to love God while they see their neighbour and co-workers in the office as enemies. The truth is, if you cannot love your fellow human being you see, then, your love for God is just because you cannot see God.
If you should see God, then just as Jesus was killed by those who interacted with him, you would do the same.
The minister of God in Frank Ugwuonuono came to the fore in “The Speaking Blood.” Like wanton boys to flies, killing fellow human beings has become a play for many. Book Haram aptly captures that. The twelve chapter book explained the role of blood in life and gave reasons why no one has the right to spill the blood of another.
“When you spill blood, you give room for people to spill yours or the innocent”, he states, and admonished all, “Shed no blood and do no evil against humanity for it will speak.”
On the whole, the five books are easily readable and good for the little ones. It is recommended for parents to get for their children.
The book contains some typographical errors which it is believed future editions would take care of. ###
Kenneth Amabipi
