A few days ago, I was opportune to attend a review of the book, titled ‘Catholic Men Organisation, Church of the Ascension, New Bodija, Ibadan: Two Decades of Indelible Landmark’. The 72-page book, compiled and edited by Ayo Akinyemi, Adewale Kupoluyi and Abiola Layonu, published by Media Reports Projects in 2024, was reviewed by Dr. Maria Ekpenyong of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The reviewer observed that the CMO had been contributing in no small measure to the growth and progress of the church in the past 20 years. She noted that the purpose of review, apart from celebrating its remarkable milestone, is to document relevant events, achievements, challenges, and even threats, for posterity sake.
It is also to provide a critical analysis in order to present the value of “this amazing document and to help broaden readers’ understanding of the book as well as make recommendations for prospective readers”. Ekpenyong added that the publication’s introduction was preceded by a foreword from Most Reverend (Dr.) Peter Odetoyinbo, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta and with an introduction from the Chairman, 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, Chief Abiola Layonu.
This is lucidly followed by dedication to Saint Joseph, who was described as ‘a model of fatherhood’. In the same vein, the incumbent President of CMO, Dr. Victor Ekun lent his voice to appreciate elders and founding members of CMO, expressed his excitement and viewed the development as ‘his moment of history’ with special appreciation to members.
The preliminary contents of the book feature the foreword, introduction and dedication. Comprising eight chapters, using episodic approach, the book divides the contents into distinct segments. Each fragment has its own narration touching every aspect of substantive, elaborative activities, achievements and challenges of CMO.
Chapter One, which was tagged ‘Moments of History’, the incumbent President established that everything about CMO was team work, underlying selfless service and commitment of members during each activity that is hosted by the CMO in the family Church of the Ascension. Chapter Two, titled ‘Saint Joseph: A Model of Fatherhood’ by Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu, presented a vivid account of what fatherhood should be and reflected on the role of fathers in the church – virtues that are worthy of emulation by members of CMO in all parishes. Chapter Three dwells on ‘CMO: Church of the Ascension: A Historical Excursion’, where the Pioneer President, Dr. Adewale Kupoluyi lucidly accounted for the historical birth of CMO, as a society and as an umbrella body for men in the family Church of the Ascension, initiated by the then Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Odetoyinbo and now the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese.
He also narrated the formative stage and structures of CMO. Chapter Four, tagged ‘CMO: From Strength to Strength’, was written by Abel Oluwole Abimbola, as he did a critical appraisal of CMO over the years while Chapter Five featured ‘My Stewardship as President’ by Sir Sam Korie, the third President of CMO, elaborately captured the aim, relevance and historical analysis of the organisation. In Chapter Six, tagged ‘CMO: Happy to be Part of the Story’, Chief Emmanuel Oyegoke identified with and appraises the achievements of CMO. Chapter Seven presents ‘Rendering Account of Stewardship’ by Chief Abiola Layonu, where he summarised the laudable projects and achievements of the organisation in the last 20 years, concluding that the society had achieved its objectives of mobilising men of the Parish towards active spiritual participation in church affairs.
Chapter Eight covers ‘Goodwill Messages’ from top dignitaries. An overview of the book’s content point to the fact that the book is a source of wisdom, as it covers a wide range of topics from the history, activities, achievements, challenges, prospects, and how men can relate with one another in love and unity, among others. Key findings and insights indicate that the CMO in the family Church of Ascension is a strong, stable and sustainable unified body, which has been nursing and promoting spiritual growth and service to the Parish.
It has further contributed the spiritual impact of families, the church and society as a whole. This book will provide knowledge about CMO and draw men closer to God, as the reviewer stated that the publication’s strengths include the fact that experienced and seasoned authors contributed to the contents of the book.
Authors use verifiable sources, with a clear writing style. Another strength lies in the area of solid backing by spiritual fathers like archbishops, bishops, reverend fathers, and funding issues. Being the first CMO in the history of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, is undeniable strength, saying there is transparency, accountability and media supports on its activities like those provided by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
On challenges, the book identifies few challenges such as funding, low membership, and inability to resuscitate the Bodija CMO Newsletter production; on accuracy, the book contents are accurate and explicit with no room for bias; on objectivity, the book contains vital and verifiable information that are based on facts and evidence with no issue of opinion while the aesthetic quality shows that the publication is beautifully and colorfully designed with historic pictures, the reviewer averred.
In terms of relevance, the contents reveal the relevance of CMO in the areas of spiritual growth of members and service to church; building strong faith foundation among its members and in the provision of sense of belonging and support for community members, and of course, counseling and mentoring of members. Significant achievement, as reflected in book, are as follows: hosting of the Parish annual harvest and thanksgiving, annual Feast and Father’s Day celebrations, spiritual retreats, yearly symposium and health talks, drafting of constitution, regular monthly meetings, timely succession plan, and many more. The impact of the book reveals to a greater extent, the relevance of CMO on members both within the Parish and beyond, such as, active involvement in all Parish spiritual, social, health and economic activities.
The book also captures workable committees, like spiritual committee for optimal performance as well as impactful programmes for funding, and church administration like CMO officials being active members of the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Laity Council. In conclusion, the book highlights CMO in the family Church of the Ascension as a strong, stable and sustainable unified body, which has been nursing and promoting spiritual growth and virile services. It also reveals the organisation is a blessing to all men in the family Church of the Ascension, and continues to promote the spiritual growth of members significantly, adding that Bodija CMO has a strong vision of strengthening members’ faith to serve the church generously with their means, talents, and endowments, saying the book is highly recommended for all to read and keep (Sponsored).
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