Onaiyekan urges sustained support for books in digital age

Arts & Entertainment

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called for sustained support for literary works, saying books remain relevant despite the rapid transformation of communication through digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Onaiyekan made the call in Abuja at the public presentation and launch of a trilogy — Oderaa, Quaeso Manus and In Vinea Domini — authored by Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwu.

The cardinal commended Agwu for documenting his experiences, thoughts and reflections in the three-volume publication, describing the initiative as valuable to society.

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He urged the author to continue writing and called on members of the public to support the publication, purchase and distribution of the books.

Onaiyekan noted that digital communication had revolutionised how people communicated, recorded information and retrieved knowledge.

He, however, said the emergence of AI had further transformed the communication landscape, making the future of information and knowledge increasingly difficult to predict.

The cardinal maintained that books would continue to play an important role in preserving knowledge and human experiences despite advances in digital technology.

He appealed to individuals with the financial capacity to support literary works by purchasing copies of the books for distribution to young people and those who could not afford them.

Onaiyekan noted that poverty remained a reality in Nigeria, stressing the importance of making knowledge accessible to disadvantaged members of society.

Also speaking, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, urged Nigerians to embrace gratitude and service as important values for building a better society.

Kaigama said every citizen had a moral responsibility to live honestly and truthfully, work hard and contribute positively to national development.

He called on political leaders and citizens to embrace selfless service and place the interest of society above personal gains.

The archbishop particularly encouraged young Nigerians to cultivate the habit of reading and writing, warning against excessive dependence on the internet and emerging technologies.

He said technology should complement rather than replace human reasoning, urging Nigerians to deploy their talents and abilities productively.

Agwu, the author of the trilogy, said the first volume, Oderaa, focused on human purpose and the possibility of discovering and fulfilling it.

He explained that the second volume, Quaeso Manus, examined the importance of assistance from others in helping individuals achieve their purpose in life.

According to him, the third volume, In Vinea Domini, centres on service to others, which he described as the foundation of every dignified achievement.

Agwu said the trilogy also reflected his experiences during his first decade as a priest, adding that achievement became meaningful only when it translated into service to humanity.

He said the process of writing the books taught him valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of accepting honest criticism.

The priest recalled that he initially planned to publish his reflections as a single volume, but Onaiyekan challenged the idea and encouraged him to expand the work into three volumes.

Agwu described the trilogy as a call for Nigerians to recognise and appreciate positive contributions to society while holding leaders accountable when they fail in their responsibilities.

Earlier, Mr Wisdom Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media and Public Affairs and chairman of the occasion, described Agwu as a priest whose life reflected gratitude, humility and selfless service.

Ikuli urged the public to support literary works that preserve ideas, experiences and values, while cautioning young Nigerians against the growing attraction to quick wealth.

He encouraged young people to embrace patience, discipline, hard work and personal development, stressing that perseverance through hardship could help build resilience, character and a more responsible society.