the Bishop Anyogu—Auctrice REGINA Pacis

About the Book

If you read the fictions: The Borgias / Things Fall Apart / The Day of the Jackal / Game of Thrones / Half of a Yellow Sun – the Bishop Anyogu—A Historical Biography also showcases the FACTUAL life story of his people; in particular, the Onitsha Peoples’ historical origins, their vital role in the present day US-UK Special Relationship and the prodigious quest of the people of Ireland to help his people under siege. Nigeria is in turmoil. A bloody power struggle is underway. A political game has created the ultimate military challenge. His people face the challenge of their lives, he cannot avert the civil war before his death, his people will most likely be starved to death...as his ultimate legacy CARITAS for ALL unfolds. IF YOU DON’T KNOW the BISHOP JOHN CROSS ANYOGU, YOU DON’T KNOW NIGERIA. Meticulously researched and written by Marie Otigba, great niece of the Bishop Anyogu, the book captures not only the miraculous story of one young black boy’s rise to become one of the most influential Nigerians in history, but his influences in Ireland, the Vatican and the fascinating story of his people as a whole. The Historical Biography digs to the bottom of the UK-US special relationship’s origin at Onitsha in the 19th century which led to the end of slavery and covers the period when explorers first step foot on Nigerian soil - leaving the turbulent world of modern geopolitics with plenty to think about- , having never acknowledged Onitsha Peoples’ vital role in the present day UK-US special relationship. Maria Otigba is often taken aback by her family’s history, especially her close relationship to a man largely considered to be the most influential Nigerian in history. But Bishop Anyogu’s story goes beyond his faith, to capture the story of slavery’s end, the construction of the modern geopolitical system and the bold shortcomings of today’s world leaders. In ‘The Bishop Anyogu—Auctrice REGINA Pacis: A Historical Biography’ Otigba exposes the historical raw, frank life story of her great uncle. Author Comment “I want this book to both teach and remind people of the Onitsha people’s vital role in the UK-US special relationship,” explains the author. “Their influence in 1862 reaches far and beyond what many think. For example, they were instrumental in ending slavery by agreeing to the mass production of cotton for the mills in Lancashire. It’s something I accidentally bumped into during the research into my great uncle’s life, and it’s a story that now deserves to be told to the world.” Continuing, “Back to his life; he was of course an icon and maverick. He received an OBE from HRH the Queen in 1957 for his selfless missionary work, and went on to impact the lives of many in many other positive ways. It’s amazing that such a humble man would go on to achieve so much behind the scenes and without the limelight of the press. Now, for the first time, his story is being preserved for future generations to cherish.” “…as my New Year’s resolution, I want to serve God all my life. I want to be a priest.” “Can a black man be a priest?” asked Jacob his father. “Why not?” asked Shanahan, the Roman Catholic Prefect of the Holy Ghost Fathers at Onitsha in 1910. “Has a black man not got a soul?”

….the obstacles, trials and challenges began for the twelve-year-old native born in the late 19th century Victorian colony of Nigeria - the defining period when the Anyogu family legacy became embedded in the Archivum Secretum Apostolicum Vaticanum in Rome.

It features in particular, his influence in Killeshandra Ireland and his ultimate legacy for the Biafran people CARITAS for all. With century old journals and newspapers put into perspective, this biography reveals a towering figure and one of, if not the most influential personality ever in Nigerian history. And so, I present to you, The BISHOP JOHN CROSS ANYOGU.

www.bishopanyogu.com

About the Author

The visionary, timelessly modern book explores the moods and feelings of the past volatile world whilst shockingly describing so intensely the passage of time. What emerges page by page are subjects that have been culturally occluded or disowned – the book is relentless and uncompromising. In communication, the book itself can be funny in conjunction with being melancholy, disturbing and with a dead-pan comedic delivery. In effect humour is an intense shade on the emotions from which the book is written, leaving it a page Turner and fast-moving book to read. Marie is a direct descendant and a great niece of Bishop John of the Cross Anyogu. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, she studied at Newcastle College, Northumbria University, and Middlesex University. Marie pursued her fascination with John Cross Anyogu at the National Archives in Richmond, the British Library at Euston Road, London, the Prefecture of the Vatican Secret Archives in Rome, the Spiritan Archives in Chevilly in Paris, France, and with the Holy Ghost Fathers in Kimmage and Scotland.

Marie works in finance and lives in London.