Pharm. Regina Ezenwa, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), and founder, the Roses Ministry, a faith-based non-governmental organisation, aimed at alleviating the plights of widows, orphans and vulnerable persons in the society, has revealed why she wrote her new book, ‘Fragrance of the Roses’, a one-year daily devotional, saying it was a product of divine inspiration.
Speaking during a courtesy visit and formal presentation of the new book to the Publisher, Pharmanews, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, she narrated how genuine pieces of advice and comments from family and friends, on improving her daily ministration have encouraged her to write the book.
Ezenwa, the kind-hearted woman said: “As I lay on my bed in the morning of 23 December 2016, I felt strong unction to write my inspired thoughts, as I meditated on a bible verse. I did and shared it on Facebook, but to my surprise, there were immediate positive responses. So the next day, and the next, and on and on, I continued to write; and the comments were encouraging. After a while, I received some genuine pieces of advice and comments, and by the middle of 2017, the general advice had become “please publish”.
She continued: “As the idea to publish became a growing desire, the daily upload on Facebook began to slow down, with some missing. At that time, I stopped the Facebook posts altogether and focused on completing a full manuscript with the daily inspirations. However, instead of the writing moving faster, it slowed down and stopped as the push to meet the daily expectations of readers of the posts was no longer there.
“To cut the story short, my family, husband and children came to the rescue and one of my children became my catalyst, thus God used the constant prodding of my loved ones to revive my zeal for the writing. I became tired again but the inspiration, strength, wisdom and knowledge flowed from God almighty to assist me, and eventually, 366 days seemed done but it still took a longer period to re-read, correct, re-write and get to a point I felt it had to move forward.
The next stage was to find someone to edit, so I sought help from a respected senior colleague, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, whom I regard as the primus inter pares in writing and publishing and he willingly recommended one of his staff, Mr Ola Aboderin, copy editor, Pharmanews, whom despite his busy schedule diligently and dedicatedly used his expertise to edit and proofread the book, making it what it has become today.
She added, “It is pertinent to mention that the title, Fragrance of the Roses, was chosen for this publication by divine inspiration, as one of our directors at the Roses Ministry, Mrs Ugochi Rowland Opara, who at the time was in -charge of the training and the widows’ welfare, came up with the exciting name, while also giving me a message from the Lord, asking what I had done with the book. He had asked me to write. So I thank God for the success of that effort, the various individuals that have contributed to birthing it, and the grace to persevere in actualising the vision”.
She however noted that the new daily devotional whose proceeds have been dedicated to further run the Roses Ministry is now available in bookshops, especially Bible Wonderland Bookshops, as well as the Roses Ministry Secretariat, Lagos.
In his response, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, commended Ezenwa for the book, noting that the book is in line with the vision the Lord has given to her, adding that the devotional can be used in any year, over and over and will be of great benefit to all that will read it.
Speaking further, the Pharmanews boss thanked The Roses’ Ministry founder for coming over to present the book to him and for acknowledging the contribution of Pharmanews in actualising the dream.
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