UNIZIK Produces Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye as First Indigenous Professor of Chinese Language in Nigeria, Africa

Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD encountered the first indigenous Chinese language Professor in Nigeria, if not Africa , Prof Ifeanyi Odinye.

Odinye was recently promoted to a professional cadre at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK. Odinye is a Professor of Chinese Studies and Linguistics.

Enjoy his interview on a wide range of issues. Excerpts :

Question: How do you feel on your promotion to the rank of a full professor? The news is making waves?

Odinye: I feel so happy and I return all the glory to God. It is almost two decades I have worked in the university. I was employed in 2005. So, it’s not like from the moon.

Question: I was told that you are the first Nigerian Chinese language lecturer in Nigeria. Can you tell us the history of Chinese language in Nigeria?

Official teaching and learning of Chinese language in Nigeria started at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2004. The idea of Chinese language was given to Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN), the then Vice-chancellor by late Mr. Ike Mbaonu, who was from Nibo community in Anambra State and a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was a staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja. At one of his visits with President Olusegun Obasanjo to China, he got the information of the intention of the Chinese government to introduce Chinese language in a Nigerian university. Prof. Ilochi Okafor welcomed the idea and immediately began to pursue the introduction of Chinese language at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He went to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja and met Mr. Jiang Wenmin, the cultural counselor at that time. Through the effort of Mr. Jiang Wenmin, the Chinese Embassy visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2005 for inspection. After the visit, the Chinese ambassador agreed to help Nnamdi Azikiwe University to start Chinese language teaching and learning through the establishment of the Confucius Institute.In 2005, Nnamdi Azikiwe University with the approval of the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Ilochi Okafor nominated and sent me to study Chinese language and culture at Beijing Foreign Studies University, China. In 2006, the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture started at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in the department of African and Asian Studies. The Chinese lecturer, Prof. Liu Guancai was the pioneer foreigner to teach Chinese language and culture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He stayed only for one year and returned to China. After my graduation in 2007, I returned to the university to teach Chinese language and culture. I took over from where Prof. Liu Guancai stopped. With my ability to speak Igbo, English, and Chinese language; my teaching was easily understood by my students. I became the first Nigerian indigenous Chinese lecturer in Nigeria since Nnamdi Azikiwe University is the first university to introduce the Chinese language and culture, and also the first university to establish the Confucius Institute in Nigeria. I was the only lecturer at that time until the arrival of another Chinese lecturer, Mr. Zhang Jinping who arrived in 2008. The first set of diploma students were successfully graduated in 2009. Some of the students got admission to study Chinese language and culture in China the same year. In March 2008, the first Confucius Institute in Nigeria was established at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, under the leadership of Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN). Prof. Okafor, the Vice-Chancellor appointed me as the acting director of the Confucius Institute until the arrival of the Chinese director, Prof. Ji Nengwen in 2009. Mr. Zhao Zhiyuan, another Chinese lecturer was sent to the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University by HANBAN in 2009. He stayed only for one year. In 2010, Prof. Boniface Egboka (FAS), who was Vice-chancellor after Prof. Ilochi Okafor, appointed me as the first deputy director to assist Prof. Ji Nengwen. In 2010, I went back to China for further study in Chinese language. In 2013, I came back from Xiamen University, China after a successful completion of a doctorate degree in Chinese language. I became the first Nigerian lecturer with a doctorate degree in Chinese language. The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the commencement of a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the programme started in the 2014/2015 academic session. The Vice-Chancellor at that time, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku (FAS) appointed me as the first coordinator (Head) of the Department of Chinese Studies. In 2018, the department graduated her first set. In 2019, the current Vice-chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone (FAS) appointed me the Head of the Department of Chinese Studies.

Question: What has been your journey towards becoming the first professor of Chinese Studies in Nigeria and possibly in Africa?

It is a long but an interesting journey. The journey started in 2005 when I was employed at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The same year, I travelled to China for the first time. I was a fresh graduate at that time. I had no knowledge of Chinese language although I studied linguistics at my undergraduate level. I won a China-Nigeria government bilateral scholarship for my study at Beijing Foreign Studies University from 2005 to 2007. I also won a Chinese government scholarship for my doctorate degree at Xiamen University, China from 2010 to 2013. I was the pioneer director (acting) of the Confucius Institute and the pioneer head of department of Chinese Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. I have been teaching Chinese language at Nnamdi Azikiwe University since 2007. I have also taught Chinese language at University of Lagos as an Adjunct lecturer. I have lived in China for many years. My first child was born in Beijing, China. My wife, Ifeoma Odinye, though an Associate Professor of English language and literature has a master’s degree in Chinese philosophy (literature and culture) from Xiamen University, China. She is a lecturer at both departments of English Language & Literature and Chinese Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Question: Do you agree that people were instrumental to your success and what’s your reaction to them?

I stood on the shoulders of giants for my success. I cannot mention everyone who has contributed to my success story but I must mention a few personalities. Let me start with the past Vice-Chancellors. I want to thank Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN) for conceiving and establishing the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. I thank him for entrusting me with a responsibility and giving me an opportunity to succeed. Prof. Boniface Egboka (FAS) and Prof. Joseph Ahaneku (FAS) are worthy of my acknowledgement. I deeply appreciate their appointments and cooperation. The current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, in whose tenure I was promoted to an Associate professor and a full professor deserves my praise.

I wish to appreciate him for his contributions to my academic journey and life. I first met Professor Charles Esimone (FAS) when he was the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy around 2008. He so much believed in me that he invited me to teach Chinese at their faculty in Agulu. He is a lover of languages and also a polyglot. Professor Charles Esinome (FAS) appointed me as the first Head of the Department of Chinese Studies in 2019. In his tenure as the Vice-chancellor, I was promoted to Reader (Associate Professor) and Professor. He is a man who has made Unizik the 4th best university in Nigeria and one of the best universities in Africa and the world. Please join me to celebrate the Vice-chancellor who has produced the first indigenous Professor of Chinese Studies in Nigeria and possibly in Africa.

I wish to thank my teachers and lecturers from different schools in Nigeria and China. I want to thank my doctorate degree supervisor, Prof. Zheng Tongtao, who was the Dean of Overseas Education at Xiamen University, China. Finally, I thank my beautiful wife and wonderful children for their support and sacrifice.

Question: Any experiences to share since you have been teaching Chinese language in Nigeria for many years?

It has been a wonderful experience though not without difficulties. Teaching is a career which involves moulding and reshaping minds. I had wonderful students in the past. Professor Nkechinyere Nwokoye, Professor Alex Anedo, Professor Gladys Udechukwu and Dr. Chinenye Okoye were my first set of diploma graduates in 2009. Ifeanyi Ezechukwu, who died in ghastly motor accident in 2011, was my best student. May his soul rest in peace. I have students both from Nnamdi Azikiwe University and University of Lagos who I shared a memorable experience with. I have graduated many students who are doing well in Nigeria and abroad.

Question: Do you have regrets?

I do not have any regret, but I must confess, I have encountered many difficulties. I had difficulties in teaching Chinese language in Nigeria. Being the first lecturer, it wasn’t easy at all. The teaching journey was really tedious due to the paucity of lecturers. I did not have modern teaching aids and I had some challenges teaching too many classes and students.