29th July, 2025
Distinguished Nigerian scholar and Catholic priest, Msgr. Obiora Ike, has released two important academic publications that contribute significantly to contemporary discourse on religion, philosophy, and education. These new books reaffirm his lifelong commitment to intellectual leadership and social transformation through faith, scholarship, and human values.
The first title, Karl Marx on Religion and Christianity: A Critical Study, offers a profound examination of the ideological stance of Karl Marx on religion, particularly Christianity. In this work, Msgr. Ike interrogates Marx’s theory that religion is the “opium of the people,” placing it in historical and philosophical context while offering a balanced Christian critique. The book engages readers—both secular and religious—in an honest exploration of the crossroads between belief, socio-political structures, and human dignity.
The second book, Expanding the Frontiers of Knowledge Through Integral Education and Human Development, is a festschrift co-edited by Benjamin Achi and Msgr. Obiora Ike in honour of Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Christian Anieke, the founding Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu. This publication brings together a rich body of scholarly contributions addressing the theme of holistic education as a catalyst for human development and societal progress.
The volume celebrates the intellectual, pastoral, and administrative legacy of Fr. Anieke—an academic who has studied at prestigious institutions including Oxford University, the University of Innsbruck, and the Urban University in Rome. A professor of English and Theology, Fr. Anieke is known for his interdisciplinary research and his lifelong dedication to value-based education.
Expanding the Frontiers of Knowledge also highlights Fr. Anieke’s literary and academic achievements, including his authorship of several influential works and his leadership roles as Director of the Institute of Chinua Achebe Studies and Provost of the Institute of Ecumenical Education. His contributions to interfaith dialogue, linguistic scholarship, and educational innovation are deeply honoured in this volume.
Together, these two books by Msgr. Obiora Ike represents an invaluable addition to scholarship and public thought. They address urgent questions of meaning, culture, and development, calling for renewed attention to the role of values and ethics in shaping a more humane world.
Both works are now available in academic bookstores and selected online platforms.
