Education, in the words of the Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, is a companion which no misfortune can depress and no clime can enslave. As such, an educated person reads well researched books written by authors who produce literary works that edify the human mind. An example of such an author is Rev. Canon Charles Amobi Ekweozor (Ph.D.).
Dr Ekweozor has a body of work that is considered explorative, thought provoking and inciteful. His new book “The Origin of Ndigbo: Exploring New Perspectives in Tracing the Black Jews of Africa” is one of such that opens up a new conversation into the narrative of th origin of Ndi Igbo. The book lines up with such other books by Adiele E. Afigbo, M.A. Onwuejeogwu, Uzodinma T. Nwala, Nwankwo T. Nwaezeigwe, Obidiegwu Onyeso, Edith Brudor, and Eze Chukwuemeka Eri.
Dr. Ekweozor, in the book, agrees that Ndi Igbo are of Jewish ancestry. He developed new perspectives that not only traces and establishes the fact of Igbo-Jewish ancestry but also helped to remove skepticism associated with the discourse. In his new approach, Dr. Ekweozor employed more robust, historical, and scientific-based approaches in sustaining the school of thought.
Another new book which Rev. Canon Dr Ekweozor released recently is “Replacing Faulty Ideologies: A Redefinition of the Concept of Omenani, using Biblical and Theological Principles.” The book provides the Igbo with tools to understand the biblical concept of land and how human attitude can either negatively on positively affect land, human relationship with God, and relationship with one another. The book further provides the basis for how the Igbos understand and interpret their world using land theology. He asks: What is land to the Igbo people? How did land come into existence? Who owns the land? And how has the land been programmed to act or respond to human attitude? Land, to the Jews and the Igbos, is a place of worship and accountability – stewardship- nkeonyemetelu! To the Jews and the Igbos, land is a place where divinity comes to meet with the mortals and have fellowship with them. Therefore, any attitude that defiles land must be atoned. Hence, ikpu-alu in the Igbo context and “purging the Land” in the Jewish context.
Dr Ekweozor ended by proposing a solution, which he tagged: “Replacement Theology”. The theology, according to him, will pass the Igbo theology of Omenani through test of the scriptures and where any aspect of it is at variance with or violates the scripture, that section should be expunged. Dr Ekweozor argues that the God of the scripture and Christianity is superior and should redefine core religious beliefs and worldview.
Therefore, these books; “The Origins of Ndigbo: Exploring New Perspectives in Tracing The Black Jews of Africa” and “Replacing Faulty Ideologies: A Redefinition of The Concept of Omenani Using Biblical And Theological Principles” authored by Rev. Canon Dr. Charles Ekweozor are books that will educate the human mind and a must read for every onye Igbo and Non-Igbo alike. The books calls for a colloquium on this discourse.
While such platform is awaited, you can pick copies of these books or make enquiries on them at the Commercial Department of Anambra Broadcasting Service or from Dr. Charles Nneke of Religion Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. You can reach him on 0-8-0-3-0-8-1-5-6-5-0.
You can also get the books at Kenneth Dike Central E-Library, Awka, or from Chief Raphael Okoye’s Deraphael’s Stores or call him on 0-8-1-4-1-2-3-9-9-9-9. Also, at Muzzy World Entertainment Centre, Eke-Nibo, along Mbaukwu Road, Call them on 0-9-1-8-0-7-2-5-6-6. You can also contact Rev. Canon Charles Amobi Ekweozor, Ph.D directly at ECWA Theological Seminary.
Written by IGWE DR JOEL EGWUONWU
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