By Henry Akubuiro
Dr. Dan Oriade, a dynamic leader, spiritual guide, academic and author of four books, has unveiled his latest book. The event, which took place at RCCC Holiness Model Parish, Magodo Phase 1, Isheri, Lagos, recently, drew participants from different walks of life. It doubled as the launch of his agelong project, The Male Child Empowerment Foundation (MACEF), described as a novel project geared towards salvaging the lot of the abandoned male child.
The event kicked off with prayers by Pastor Wale Oke, who praised the author for his discipline in writing books. He admitted that he had tried several times to write a book but didn’t succeed in his bid. “I have tried to write books in my life, but I couldn’t complete one. Writing a book is a talent. It is not easy,” he said.
The convener of the book launch and convener, Dr. Oriade said the idea of the new book was nursed while in the university, and it took him a long time to develop it: “The foundation of this book came to me while I was in university. I was the president of one of the largest fellowships on campus. My last message there was ‘Love: A Bedrock of Unity in an Ideal Fellowship’. The main focus of the message was to encourage the brethren that we were living behind an ideal fellowship.
“But after the message, many people came to me and said it was fantastic. One said I should extend it into a book form so that it would address the general audience. Honestly, I didn’t think of writing a book. By the time I came to Lagos, there was no job, and each time I woke up, I started penning ideas down based on that message. That was in 2006. Along the line, several books came up, and I abandoned this one and faced other books. By the glory of God, I have four books today.”
Oriade returned to the first book project years later. He recalled: “As I was writing it, the mission and vision of Male Child Empowerment organisation was coming up. He said the new book addresses social, personal and Christian issues. Registration for the Male Child Empowerment Foundation is still ongoing with CAC, “and, by special grace of God, it is going places,” he hinted.
Oriade hinted that the project would have a direct bearing on school children and those living in the street. “By the special grace of God, we are going to start from Street to Class. All the boys roaming about, we are going to see what we can do for them. If you look at what is happening all over the world, you discover that there are problems everywhere. Who are the ones behind them? They are men, young boys. If you talk about drug trafficking, armed robbery, Boko Haram or terrorism, they are mostly done by young boys.
“If you drive through the country, you will see destinies roaming around, and these are the pillars of this society. So it is high time for us to do something for them. Society has done much for the girl child, and women are occupying prominent positions. We have to balance it and do something for the male child,” he emphasised.
The MACEF Board of Trustees include Dr. Ajayi Peter, Pastor Olabisi Olaseinde, Mrs Opeyemi Odusanya, Barrister Daniel Omototilewa, Pastor Bisi Akande, and Mr. Olamoya Kayode.
In his review of the book, Joe Mbulu said what Love: The Bedrock of Unity in an Ideal Society is doing is to call attention to what love truly is, and begin to work towards it. He noted: “We have to be more intentional in our aspiration to love and to reflect love in all that we do. The path about an ideal society now takes us back to why God created man and put him in this beautiful place.” He blamed selfishness as what had reduced love in the world. He encouraged everybody to spread love to create a better society. He also advised parents to inculcate discipline among their male children to curtail the atrocities associated with them.
The book unveiling and launch segment was preceded by a panel discussion on the theme: “Towards a Balanced Humanity: Reclaiming the Boy Child in the Vision for an Ideal Society”. Moderated by Theresa Adeyemi, the panelists included Olayide Odusanya, a youth and digital advocate; Dr. Martin Agwogwe, Director, Global Initiative Substance Abuse; Justice S S. Odusanya, Lagos State Judiciary; Barrister Daniel Omotilewa, legal expert and child rights advocate; Pastor Fela Odueyungbo, a seasoned lecturer, and Hon. Kemi Oduwole, member, Ogun State Teachings Commission (TESCOM).
The day ended with Dr. Oriade cutting his birthday cake, designed like the book he launched earlier on. Dignitaries who attended the event included Pastor Maduka Magnus, Mr Olufemi Oguntade, Tunde Mabogunje, Pastor Bisi Akande, Hon. Oduwole, Pastor Victor Oke, to mention a few.
Photo: Dr Dan Oriade (middle) surrounded by dignitaries during the official launch of Love:The Bedrock of Unity and an Ideal Society and the inauguration of MATEF in Lagos recently.
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