Father Edeh

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Matthew Edeh (born 20 May 1947) popularly known as Father Edeh is a Nigerian Catholic priest, philosopher, educator, and philanthropist from Enugu State. He is the chancellor and founder of Madonna University, the first Catholic university in Nigeria founded in 1999. He is also the founder of Caritas University, established in 2004, and of OSISATECH, a privately owned polytechnic in Enugu State established in 1989. He is said to be the richest Catholic priest in Nigeria.

ABOUT EDEH

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel M.P. Edeh commonly known as Father Edeh is a catholic priest of the Holy Ghost congregation born 20 May 1947 in Akpugo, Enugu State, Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity (B.D.) from the Bigard Memorial Seminary an affiliate of Pontifical Urban University, Rome in 1976. He pursued and earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Master of Arts (MA), and a PhD in Philosophy from De Paul University Illinois, USA. He also obtained a professional certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), from Loyola University Medical Center. Fr. Edeh is the founder of the Centre for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation; an organization that is working towards peaceful eradication of terrorism and violent extremism. He is also the priest in charge of the Pilgrimage Centre of Eucharistic Adoration,the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour,the Fathers of Jesus the Saviour, the Contemplatives of Jesus the Saviour (monks),the contemplatives of Jesus the Saviour(nuns), Madonna University Nigeria, Caritas University, OSISATECH Polytechnic, OSISATECH College of Education, Madonna International Charity Peace Award (MICPA) foundation, Museum of Charms (voodoos) and Fetish Objects and Healthcare Institutions. Following his calling Fr. Edeh, has advocated for the less privileged in the society as well as promoted peaceful conflict resolution in his native country of Nigeria. His religious congregations also run clinics and homes for the orphans, the sick, the disabled, and the mentally ill. They also run soup kitchens, schools, conflict resolution and counselling programs.

Since 1985, starting from helping the war victims from the civil war in Nigeria, Fr. Edeh, has been involved in the social uplift and rehabilitation of victims from various terrorists and environmental disasters. In the past thirty years his support and rehabilitation works and network has grown globally starting from  Nigeria, to the Norwegian Red Cross, UNICEF and Syrian War Refugees to just name a few. Empowering young girls to become stronger and redirecting their experiences of terrorism into positive activities and providing them education is another major work of Fr. Edeh. His rehabilitation, education and positive empowerment of the youths have resulted in cutting the supply chain of the Boko Haram terrorist group, which is a huge step towards bringing peace in the African continent.

Fr. Edeh is also an educator, pioneering private school education in Nigeria, where he founded and oversees several educational institutions (from basic to university level) with emphasis on education for the disabled and Girl Child Education. His works and achievements are summarized in his mission of practical and effective charity developed from his personal prayers and devotion to the transformation of the lives of the sick, the suffering, the handicapped, the abjectly poor, the abandoned; and troubled youths of the society.

Fr. Edeh also articulated African Philosophy through his book 'Igbo Metaphysics' that man is "mmadi"; “good that is” having being created and cared for by God, every man deserves to be respected and diginified. Thus, it is the duty of man to reciprocate that care from God by caring for his fellow man without dehumanizing him or her. His style of charity work, exemplifies the practical manifestation of God’s care for humanity through man.