By Daniel Obaje
Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwu, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Good Shepherd Newspaper, a Catholic Church publication, has called for a renewal of character, conscience and leadership to address Nigeria’s challenges of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and declining public trust.
Agwu made the call on Wednesday at a news briefing in Abuja to announce the public presentation of his three-volume literary trilogy, Oderaa, Quaeso Manus and In Vinea Domini.
He said the trilogy is not merely a collection of books chronicling his journey as a Catholic priest, academic and media practitioner, but an invitation to Nigerians to reflect on the values that would shape the country’s future.
“These challenges demand more than political solutions, they demand a renewal of character, conscience, leadership and commitment to the common good.
“Nigeria does not lack talent, intelligence, resources or capable people, what we urgently need is greater integrity, justice, accountability, compassion and commitment to the common good.
Agwu expressed concern over the challenges facing young Nigerians, particularly unemployment, poverty and insecurity, saying a loss of hope among the youth could threaten the country’s future.
“Our young people deserve hope, security and opportunities to fulfil their God-given potential.
“We cannot continually ask them to wait while unemployment, poverty and insecurity threaten their future. A nation that loses the hope of its young people places its own future at risk,” he said.
The cleric also called for a change in the perception of leadership, saying those entrusted with authority must see their positions as responsibilities to the people.
“Leadership is not ownership; leadership is service.
“Whether in government, the Church, business, academia, the media or the family, authority must be understood as a responsibility to others.
Agwu said Oderaa, an Igbo expression meaning “Once God Has Written” explores destiny and vocation, tracing his journey from childhood to priesthood through theological, ethical, metaphysical and canonical reflections.
He said the book’s central message is that every individual has a purpose and a responsibility to use his or her gifts for the good of others.
According to him, Quaeso Manus is a book of gratitude, acknowledging 101 distinguished personalities from more than 200 people who contributed to his formation and journey.
“I chose gratitude deliberately because Nigeria urgently needs to recover the virtue of acknowledging those who have contributed to our success.
“We must stop celebrating power over character, position over service and material success over sacrifice, no one becomes successful entirely by personal effort,” he said.
Agwu said In Vinea Domini meaning “In the Vineyard of the Lord” reflected on his daily experience of priestly and pastoral ministry in Abuja, with emphasis on service, sacrifice, faith and responsibility.
He said the trilogy is not intended as a celebration of himself, but as a testimony to God’s grace, the people who shaped his journey and an invitation to Nigerians to examine the values shaping their individual and national destiny.
Agwu, who is also a journalist, said the pulpit and the pen must defend truth, human dignity and vulnerable members of society.
“As a priest and journalist, I believe both the pulpit and the pen must defend truth, human dignity and the vulnerable.
“We must confront corruption without fear, condemn injustice without favour and challenge bad leadership without partisan calculations,” he said.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, leaders, academia, clergy, journalists and policymakers, to reflect on their responsibilities to society and the legacy they would leave behind.
The public presentation and launch of the trilogy will hold at noon on Friday, Sept. 4, at Merit House, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.(NAN)
Edited by Magdalene Ukuedojorp