Dr Jude Okoye, a medical laboratory scientist and lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has commenced teaching his students in Igbo language.
Dr Okoye, an ex-scholar at the American Association for Cancer Research, made this known on his social media page while sharing photos of him and his students.
He described it as fun and a way for students to remember what they are taught easily but noted that some words that are not translatable are left out.
He wrote:
”To improve learning, I started teaching Histopathology in Igbo language using relatable analogies and adages.
”Based on positive feedback and interest, I am beginning to consider translating English pathology texts to Igbo language.
”It makes learning fun. I witness lots of smiles and laughter when some scenarios are described in Igbo Language. You don’t have to read hard to pass my exams. The stories will make you remember.”
Asked how he handles the situation if there are non-Igbo speaking students in class, he wrote:
”I always ask whether there are non-Igbo-speaking students in my classes. If there are, I then ask whether they understand Igbo.
”If not, I speak more of English. If I use Igbo to explain anything, I translate it to English. Besides, I speak some Hausa and Yoruba.”
Okeh Onyekachi Chukwuemeka, another medical laboratory scientist, commended Dr Okoye for the initiative.
His words:
”This is exceptionally brilliant, and I have no doubt in your ability to pull this project off but then, guess what, Doc? As you know, this would demand your blood and sweat on all fronts, but the beauty is that it is achievable if you can dare.”
