Rejection, Death of Young Nigerian Priest Inspires Book Series Reflecting on Purpose, Gratitude and Service

Father Kenneth Ogonna Agwu has released a three-volume book series reflecting on his first ten years of ministry, inspired by the sudden death of a young colleague. During a public presentation in Abuja on September 9, the priest introduced the trilogy, which includes the titles Oderaa, Quaeso Manus, and In Vinea Domini.

Fr. Agwu, the parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi Galadimawa Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said the death of Father Michael Akawu served as a turning point. Fr. Akawu, the first indigenous Gbagyi priest of the Abuja Archdiocese, died less than two years after his ordination. Fr. Agwu decided to document his experiences after considering what Fr. Akawu might have written about his own journey had he lived.

The books explore themes of purpose, gratitude, and service. The first volume, Oderaa, uses an Igbo expression meaning "once God has written" to express Fr. Agwu's belief in God's purpose for his life. Fr. Agwu also serves as the general secretary of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests' Association for the Abuja Archdiocese.