From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Professor Ifeanyi Sunny Odinye, a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State recently made history as the first indigenous Professor of Chinese Studies in Nigeria and possibly in Africa. His journey into the world of Chinese language and culture studies started in 2005 when upon being employed as a university staff, he was sent to study in Beijing Foreign Studies University, China. Basking in his recent promotion to the rank of a Professor in the university, he speaks on how the opportunity to study in China changed his life trajectory. He also speaks about the many prospects which the collaboration between the Chinese and Nigerian universities holds for the teeming population of Nigerian youths.
The news of your promotion to the rank of a full professor elicited positive reactions even beyond the campus. How do you feel about this development?
I feel so happy and I return all the glory to God
How long have you been working at Nnamdi Azikiwe University?
It is almost two decades. I was employed in 2005.
Is it right to say that you are the first indigenous Nigerian Chinese language lecturer in Nigeria? Tell us the history of Chinese language studies 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 Mbonu, 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. On 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 the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He went to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja and met Mr. Jiang Wenmin, the cultural counsellor 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. That was how 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 studies 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.
Looking back now, how can you describe your journey towards becoming the first Professor of Chinese Studies in Nigeria and possibly in Africa?
I can say it’s been 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.
In what ways do you think teaching and learning Chinese language in universities has contributed positively in Nigeria?
Teaching and learning Chinese language in Nigeria has bridged the gap positively between China and Nigeria in so many ways. It is a window for understanding Chinese culture and civilisation. It has lifted the barriers between China and Nigeria and has cemented the international relationship between the two nations. There are so many prospects in learning Chinese language. Many Nigerian students have benefited from Chinese government and Confucius Institute scholarships. So many Nigerian students who learn Mandarin Chinese are studying in China, working in Chinese companies or doing business in China. Learning Chinese language has opened many doors for Nigerian youths. It has also boosted Nigeria’s economy.
You have been teaching Chinese language in Nigeria for many years. Can you reflect on your experience briefly?
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 a 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 memorable experience with. But my joy is that I have graduated many students who are doing well in Nigeria and abroad.
What of the difficult moments too because I know it wasn’t all too rosy for you?
Well, I have no regrets, but I must confess, I have encountered many difficulties too. I had difficulties in teaching Chinese language in Nigeria. Being the first lecturer in that field, 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 at the same time.
What do you say to many people who were instrumental to your success story today?
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, starting with the past Vice-Chancellors of UNIZIK, 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, in whose tenure I was promoted to an Associate professor and a full professor deserves my praise. I wish to thank my teachers and lecturers from different schools in Nigeria and China. My doctorate degree supervisor, Prof Zheng Tongtao, who was the Dean of Overseas Education at Xiamen University, China and my beautiful wife and wonderful children for their support and sacrifice. The present Vice-chancellor, Professor Charles Esinone (FAS) has contributed immensely 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 Esimome (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 fourth best university in Nigeria and one of the best universities in Africa and the world. I celebrate him as the Vice-Chancellor who has produced the first indigenous Professor of Chinese language in Nigeria and possibly in Africa in my humble self.