Prof. Osakwe Advocates Development Of Nigerian Languages

By Ben Nwanne

A retiring lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Mabel Osakwe has advocated the need to develop Nigerian languages for use in technology and other aspects of national development; just like the Chinese and other developed nations.

Professor Osakwe who turns 70 on the 5th of November, 2021, said this while delivering her valedictory Lecture titled: “I LEAVE as we Live with Adopted Living English, Manifesting Limitless Diatypes” on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at the 1st 750 capacity Hall, Site 3.

Describing English as a “living language”, Prof. Osakwe explained that the term “Lingua Franca” does not refer to English alone, “but a functional socio-linguistic label applicable to any language, including all Nigerian indigenous languages (over 500) and Naija when they function as barrier breakers between two people or groups who do not have a common language of communication.”

The profoundly eloquent first female professor in the English and Literary Studies Department and also the first in the Faculty of Arts, held her audience spell bound, reliving her 44-year journey in academics and recalling her high points and challenges.

She was placed in many positions of responsibility, being the first Head of Department of English and Literary Studies and other high profile University appointments. As a dogged fighter, she was able to manage her roles as a wife and mother with being a scholar with great dexterity, ensuring that none of the roles suffered.

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Expectedly, Prof. Osakwe recounted the challenges confronting women in academics.

According to her, “the challenges women face are more pronounced in high tech, research laboratories, energy industries and similar science-based departments”.

Undeterred, she held her ground despite the terrible schemes of some highly placed officials which led to the delay of her professorial announcement, a development which made colleagues who were hitherto her juniors to become her seniors and threw the fact in her face.

“I was finally pronounced Professor by Professor John Enaohwo who was Vice-chancellor between 2004-2009, to whom, along with other scholars such as Professor Sam Ukala (of blessed memory), Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, the current Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education and Professor Andy Egwunyenga, the current Vice-chancellor, she expressed great gratitude.

Of all her experiences at DELSU, it would appear that two incidents stood out like the proverbial sore thumb. The first was her fight to get the University to pay women living with their husbands house allowance. She recalled her effort in agitating for justice for such women in BENSU (Bendel State University) where she chaired a committee of deprived women and the “then V-C Prof.

“Maduemezie graciously recommended our request to council. It was approved but sadly to the exclusion of women like me living in university quarters. I didn’t give up. We took the next step of the protest and got our own approval, which resulted in pay rise.

The second incidence was when, as a member of the disciplinary committee, she saved the image and the job of a male colleague who was apparently falsely and maliciously accused by a female student brought before the Committee. Rather than admit her guilt, the student accused the chairman of sexual harassment. Sensing his embarrassment, Prof. Osakwe stepped in and chaired the remaining part of the proceedings and later found the professor innocent. According to her, ironically, the professor who later became a Vice-chancellor, along with his wife, “antagonized and humiliated me as a matter of routine”.

Insisting that sexual harassment is still an issue in DELSU, she expressed optimism that the Anti Sexual Harassment Manual put in place by the current University Management would provide a solution to the problem.

She used the occasion to sow back into the university that made her what she is by announcing wide ranging cash awards for students in the English and Literary studies Department.

In a moving tribute to the distinguished Professor, the Vice-chancellor Prof. Andy Egwunyenga stated that it was a difficult task to adequately situate the enigmatic scholar.

He found a way around the problem by posing a rhetorical question. “How do I objectively define Professor Mabel Osakwe: her scholarship, activism, controversies, strong views, mentorship, victories and failures?”

The great scientist that he is, Prof. Egwunyenga, who is giving DELSU an enlightened and committed leadership, decided to remove himself from the subject to attain some measure of objectivity instead of the sweeping subjectivity often displayed at such occasions.

He went the “scientific” way by asking 12 senior Professors to comment on the distinguished Valedictory Lecturer.

According to Prof. Egwenyenga, “the highlight of twelve grand testimonials of the cream of academics of Delta State University is tribute to her intelligence, firm and uncompromising stance on cherished principles of justice and integrity.”

In congratulating Prof. Osakwe on her imminent retirement, the Vice-chancellor described her as “an academic colossus who gave her all to Delta State University since inception; a teacher’s teacher, who perhaps, was often misunderstood by successive administrations of this university; it appears that Delta State University has not productively managed and harnessed the expertise and talent of this exceptional academic”.