A Nigerian, Emmanuel Ikechukwu Umeonyirioha has officially been inducted as the first ever lecturer of Igbo language at Oxford University.
He made the announcement on his twitter page with the caption, noting that it would be the first time the indigenous language would be taught at the prestigious university.
He tweeted ” It is official that I am the first official Igbo Language lecturer at the number one university in the world, the University of Oxford.
“Our induction happened today by Marion Sadoux, Head of Modern Language Programmes, University of Oxford Language Centre.
“This became possible in account of the James Currey Society. This is the first time Igbo language will be taught at the university. History has been made.
“I am so happy and grateful for this opportunity. I promise to make the Igbo language and culture known to the world.” He went on to state the details of his first class.
A graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria, Emmanuel is also an English-Chinese-Igbo Translations Director and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree in law at the Xiamen University, China. He has now set the pace for others to follow.