Andrew G. Onokerhoraye's autobiography, "The Riches of His Grace," is a captivating and eventful life story that offers a thoughtful reflection on the author's experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The book is a testament to the riches of God's grace, which has been abundant and lavish in the author's life. The author's motivation to write his autobiography came from his friends, who recognized the value of his life story and its potential to inspire others. Despite initial hesitation, Onokerhoraye decided to write his autobiography to capture the intimate details, nuances, and landmarks in his life.
The autobiography is written through the frame of the Holy Scriptures, "the riches of His grace" referring to the abundant and infinite nature of God's grace, demonstrated through His kindness and generosity towards us in Christ Jesus. Some of the key aspects of the riches of God's grace include the following: the riches of God's grace are limitless and overflowing, surpassing our understanding and needs; through Christ's blood, we receive redemption and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God's grace; the riches of God's grace reveal His generous and loving nature, demonstrating His glory and goodness; God's grace is lavished upon us, not because we deserve it, but because of His abundant love and kindness; the riches of God's grace include spiritual blessings, such as adoption as God's children, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and access to God through prayer; and finally the riches of God's grace ultimately lead to eternal life with God, a gift that surpasses our understanding and is available through faith in Christ Jesus. Reading through this autobiography, Onokerhoraye’s life experiences either directly or implicitly through inferences match these six categories of the riches of God's grace: (1) Redemption and forgiveness. (2) God's character. (3) Lavished upon us. (4) Spiritual blessings. (5) Eternal life. (6) God's kindness and generosity.
Structure and Content
The autobiography is divided into five sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the author's life. The first section traces his life story from his humble beginnings in a remote village to his rise as a professor and university administrator. The second section focuses on his teaching, research, and public service, while the third section highlights his contributions to university governance. The fourth section explores the application of his research training and capability to building a Think Tank, and the final section expresses gratitude to his family, friends, associates, and partners.
Themes and Reflections
Throughout the autobiography, Onokerhoraye reflects on the riches of God's grace, which has been evident in his life. He writes about the challenges he faced, the opportunities he received, and the lessons he learned. He also acknowledges the role of providence and good fortune in his life, demonstrating his humility and gratitude. The autobiography offers valuable lessons for the young and old, highlighting the importance of focus, discipline, and determination in pursuing education and succeeding in life. Onokerhoraye's life story serves as a model for those seeking inspiration and guidance.
The author's writing style is engaging, and his use of language is rich and descriptive. He shares his experiences with vulnerability and honesty, making the book a relatable and authentic read. One of the strengths of the autobiography is its ability to convey the author's passion for education, research, and public service. His commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others is evident throughout the book. The autobiography also highlights the importance of relationships and community in the author's life. He expresses gratitude to his family, friends, and associates who have supported him throughout his journey. Overall “The Riches of His Grace" is a captivating and inspiring autobiography that offers a glimpse into the life of Onokerhoraye. The book is a testament to the power of God's grace and the importance of reflecting on one's experiences, challenges, and triumphs. It is a valuable resource for anyone seeking inspiration, guidance, and encouragement.
Intersectional Confluence: A Tale of Two Professors
In reading the autobiography of Onokerhoraye, I found an intriguing intersectionality and confluence of differences and similarities in our educational and professional careers. Despite distinct paths, our journeys reveal remarkable parallels, underscoring the power of shared experiences and intellectual roots. We both attended a Grade II Teacher Training College and entered the University of Ibadan through the GCE channel. We both chose geography as our undergraduate degree program, influenced by Akin Mabogunje's scholarship and achievements. Both recognized gaps in our understanding of urban systems as articulated in Mabogunje’s 1968 boon on Urbanization in Nigeria and addressed them in graduate school. We both embraced the development ethos in our research and writing. We both returned to the University of Ibadan after doctoral studies.
Our careers diverged in several ways. Onokerhoraye focused on geography and planning, while Megbolugbe delved deeper into economics and finance. Our career trajectories took different turns, with Onokerhoraye working at NISER and the University of Benin, and Megbolugbe joining Florida State University and later Fannie Mae, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Johns Hopkins University. Despite divergent paths, our careers converged in consulting, executive management, think tanks, and philanthropy. We were also born within the same decade, also retired within the same decade, our careers were anchored by research, teaching and lifelong learning.
This later narrative in my review highlights the significance of intersectionality and confluence in understanding the complexities of individual experiences. The parallels and divergences in the careers of Onokerhoraye and Megbolugbe serve as a testament to the power of shared intellectual roots in being grounded in the study of social science by our founding fathers including A.L. Mabogunje, Ojetunji Aboyade, Francis Okediji, R.K. Udo and E, Essien-Udom and the value of diverse perspectives.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommendation: This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in memoirs, autobiographies, and stories of inspiration and triumph.
** Review by: Isaac Megbolugbe, who is a retired professor from Johns Hopkins University and a fellow student and mentee with Onokerhoraye of the Late Emeritus Professor Akin Mabogunje at the University of Ibadan. Isaac resides in the United States of America.
