Book Review
Book: A man sent from God
A ninety-year account of life experiences and lessons learnt
Author: Prophet John Osagie Odigie, JP
Reviewer: Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief
An ex-policeman, Prophet John Osagie Odigie, turned 90 on January 4, 2025, which he marked for the first time with elaborate birthday celebration and launch of his autobiography, titled: “A Man Sent From God,” an account of his life experiences and lessons learnt, including why he concluded plans to drive into Lagos lagoon with his car, with many eminent personalities in attendance at the venue of the birthday bash, a magnificent and newly-constructed Hanson Region Campground of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), off Benin-Lagos Expressway at Isihor, Benin, Edo State, which he built and handed over to CAC Worldwide.
The 239-page inspiring, educative, flawless, motivating, revealing, God-glorifying, thought-provoking, Christ-edifying, timely, and informative book, which was published by SBA Publishing Company at Arizona in the United States, has fourteen chapters, with well-designed and colourful cover, neat print, and attractive content, thereby making it the readers’ delight.
A Man Sent From God is dedicated to the Almighty God, for counting the nonagenarian worthy to preach and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The autobiography is written in very simple language by Prophet Odigie, a former Assistant General Evangelist of CAC Worldwide, who is the Planter of CAC, Deliverance Centre, off Ekenwan Road, Benin City, and the President of United Pastors’ Prayer Association (UPPA), with over one thousand dedicated members across the globe.
Chapter one of the book is titled: “Phenomenal Birth and Childhood,” with the frontline cleric giving details of how he was born into a polygamous family, and the challenges that he faced, while growing up.
He said: “Unfortunately, I was born into the chaotic world of polygamy, where rivalry and conflict were commonplace. Jealousy, hatred and arguments between my father’s four wives surrounded me from the moment of my conception, until birth, and I was born into a reality that included physical fights, favouritism, inequality, and constant tension.
“My delivery was a shock to my father’s other wives, because my mother had bled heavily from the third month of her conception to the day of her delivery. She did not only face the physical challenges of pregnancy, but had to deal with my father’s other wives’ envy and bitterness as well, since they were determined to make her life as difficult as possible.
“My mother, Imasuen Uwadiae, from the Ogbebor Usen family in Edo State, knew she was carrying a sought-after male child – a reality the other wives could not bear to accept. One day, during a fierce argument, the first wife lashed out, delivering a calculated kick to my mother’s pregnant belly. That single act of violence marked the beginning of a relentless ordeal. From the third month of her pregnancy, my mother bled heavily until the very day I was born.”
The author disclosed that before his birth, no other male children born in his family had survived, and when the oracle revealed that he was a boy, the three other wives went ballistic and erupted in anger, vowing that his birth would not be under their watch, and boasted that it would not happen without a fight, with the pregnancy becoming the target of both physical and spiritual attacks, aimed at preventing his survival.
Faced with the hostility, the former policeman disclosed in his autobiography that his mother fled to her uncle, Love Ogbebor, in her determination to protect her unborn child from the jealous eyes of the other wives, but still bleeding, and later returned home, where the gang-up against her became even worse.
He said: “Despite all the attacks on my mother, the day of my birth came, and I was born whole and healthy. I emerged crying loudly, to the utter shock of my father’s other wives, as if I were declaring my victory over their schemes. They stared at me in disbelief on the mat, with my mother in a pool of blood, their faces filled with disappointment. Then, with a snap of their fingers, they exclaimed, ‘Osagie!’ meaning ‘God sent.’
“Indeed, I was ‘God-sent.’ Even those who had plotted against my life could not deny that my birth was a divine miracle. In their disbelief, they unwittingly testified to the hand of God in my survival. It was clear to all that I was not just any child, but one destined for a greater purpose beyond being ‘heir to my father’s house.’
“My father, Uwheni, held the title of the Aiwansoba of Benin Kingdom. He was a diligent farmer, knowledgeable native doctor and chief attendant in customs and traditional matters to Oba Akenzua II of great memory. With my father’s busy schedule, much of the household drama unfolded in his absence. However, when he heard the news of my birth, he rushed home with joy and pride. He named me ‘Osagie-vwangbon,’ meaning ‘One sent by God to the world.’ Upon hearing the report of the shocking and unfriendly welcome that I received from his other wives, who exclaimed that I was ‘God sent,’ my father immediately sanctioned and adopted the name (Osagie). My survival was a sign that a higher power protected me.”
The world-class author, who was born on January 4, 1935, also stated that despite growing up in a household overshadowed by traditional beliefs, idolatry, and spiritual welfare, he found himself inexplicably drawn to a different light, a yearning for a godly and peaceful life that felt out of place in his environment, revealing that while his father’s world was revolving around chants, charms, and rituals, his soul was searching for peace and truth.
He first attended Holy Arosa Primary School, Benin, before transferring to St. Thomas Catholic School, Ogbe, while without warning, he ran from home to live at the Catholic Mission, now known as the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre of St. Paul Catholic Church on Airport Road, Benin, as his name was officially listed with the seminary, and attended classes at Immaculate Conception College (ICC), Benin unofficially, whihe he sat for the General Certificate in Education (GCE), and passed all his subjects in flying colours.
The renowned cleric said: “In 1957, for reasons I could not fully understand, I suddenly became angry with the Catholic Mission, packed all my things, and returned to my father’s house. Later, he (his father) admitted that he had performed incantations and charms to bring me back home. My father did this because he feared that if he did not act quickly, I would be lost to Christianity, which he called the ‘White Man’s Religion.’
“My father wanted to ensure that I would inherit his idols, farmlands, titles, thatched-roofed house, and legacy. Despite repeated visits from Rev. Father Anthony Murphy to plead for me to return to the seminary, my father remained unmoved. I was confused and under an influence that I could not control, torn between the call to godliness and the grip of my father’s traditional beliefs.
“The forces pulling me back into the traditional ways of my family were strong, but God had planted the seed of His word in my heart. Amid these struggles, I would sneak into Sunday services and continue my duty as a mass server, though my spiritual path was uncertain.”
The author also stated that it was not enough to be merely attracted to godliness, one must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to stand firm against spiritual challenges.
Chapter 2 of the book is titled: “Teenage and Youthful Years,” with Prophet Odigie disclosing that his transition from adolescence to adulthood was challenging, stressing that to make ends meet, he had to take on odd jobs as pushing heavy carts through the streets of Benin, but the Catholic Mission later offered him a teaching position at its prmary schools in the villages of Uhen and Okhoro in Edo state.
He said: “Unfortunately, my teaching career ended before it could even take off, due to a grave mistake. I got one of the female pupils pregnant, and in my fear and shame, I fled to Benin City.
“In 1960, while searching for a new direction, a friend informed me that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was recruiting. I applied, passed the entrance examination with distinction, and secured admission into the Southern Police College in Ikeja, Lagos. Not long after I started my training at the Police College, my past caught up with me. The family of the girl I had impregnated, while I was a teacher, showed up at the College and made formal complaint against me.
“They found my whereabouts through a former colleague at the school, a fellow teacher, who was also a trainee at the Police College. He said I was too popular and excelled in everything I did, while he struggled to keep up. Out of sheer envy, he helped the girl’s family to track me down. His jealousy led him to believe that bringing me down would even the score. The family demanded my immediate dismissal from the College, and insisted that I should take full responsibility for their daughter and her child.”
The author also disclosed that the police officer on duty on that day stood by him, as he refused to dismiss him, thereby valuing his excellence, discipline and sportsmanship, and sent the family members away, while advising him sternly that he should have faced the consequence of his actions, instead of running from it.
He stated that unfortunately, the controversial child died under mysterious circumstances, and to his surprise, the girl apologised and admitted that he was not the father of her child, while revealing that his envious colleague who exposed him, was the real father of the baby, with the police authorities dismissing him (the real father) from the force.
The iconic cleric said: “My time at the Police College was transformative, instilling a sense of discipline that shaped my life. We were trained in leadership, time management, physical fitness, appearance, neatness, endurance, and perseverance in difficult situations. The rigorous training prepared me for life’s challenges and laid the groundwork for my journey into the disciplined world of Christian ministry.
“When I graduated from the Police College, I received numerous awards and accolades, including: Best All-Round Recruit of My Squad, Golden Baton Award for All-Round Performance, Certificate of Distinction, Best in Parade, and Best in Law of Evidence. As first and best in every aspect of training, I excelled beyond my expectations. The first indigenous Inspector-General of NPF, Mr. Luis Edet, formally recognised these achievements, and his signature on my certificates is a testament to my dedication and hard work.
“I still remember the proud moments when my name was announced over the microphone, and marched up to receive my awards. The cheers and applause still ring in my ears. Each time I returned to my seat, my name would be called again for another recognition. It was a day of triumph, a victory of hard work and dedication over laziness and truancy, one of the greatest moments in my life’s journey.”
Chapter 3 is titled: “First Secular Work Experience,” which is a summary of the author’s activities in the NPF, while revealing that upon completing his education at the Police College, he was assigned to serve in Ibadan, and later transferred to Ogbomoso, both in Oyo state, but had an encounter in Ogbomoso with the wife of the then Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Faderera Akintola, who called him “Kobokobo,” a derogatory term to mock people from the Mid-West and Eastern Region of Nigeria, while patrolling the premises at night, and his footsteps crunched loudly on the gravel-covered ground, thereby abusing him, his family and tribe, but replied that her head was not correct, which led to his being summoned by his bosses at police headquarters in Ibadan.
