Man who was Rejected for Studying Igbo in University Makes it, PhD Students now Use his Published Book
- A Nigerian man, Ogbonnaya Mark, succeeded in life despite the huge opposition he faced when he decided to study Igbo language in school
- After much tribulations, Ogbonnaya's love for the language placed him among those higher than him
- While in the university, his books written in Igbo were made as compulsory texts for his seniors
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A Nigerian man, Ogbonnaya Mark, on Monday, March 29, took to Twitter to narrate how he stuck by his passion for the Igbo language and made a success out of it despite the challenges stacked against him.
He said he perfected his plan to study the language at the university level and never informed friends and families who thought studying law was the best for him.
Ogbonnaya revealed that even before he got admission at the age of 17, he already had over 15 manuscripts written in his name.
To register for his JAMB, the man disclosed that he had to move away from his vicinity to a place where no one knew him.
Even the computer operator who assisted in registering him for the exams was surprised that anybody would want to study such in school.
After he was admitted, friends who heard the course he would be studying made fun of him. When Ogbonnaya approached his parents for money, they denied him also.
Source: Facebook
To survive, the man turned to self-publishing after he was turned back by publishers who never believed in his works.
His first book, Nwata Tichaa Akị Tụfuo Nkume... met strict criticism from those he marketed it to. His big break came when professors honoured his Igbo writing at a conference.
From there, his fame grew. Second-year students adopted his book for reading. Another one titled Nwata Kpata Ego Okenye Ejegbuo Onwe Ya n'Ozi became a recommended reading for third-year students.
While still an undergraduate, his pieces also became compulsory texts for PhD and masters students studying Igbo literature.
The ministry of education in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Imo and Enugu states approved his books for secondary school students.
Below are some of the reactions to his post:
@DanOhaneho said:
"Kudos for believing in yourself and for telling this inspirational story of yours."
@ogaparrot said:
"I have said this times without number, no matter where my kids are born, they must learn igbo first."
@akenn007 said:
"I intend to do something after my studies with all language literature from Africa. Someday!!! It’s a plan in progress. Good job and good work."
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a lady, Mary Otunba, rose above all her past challenges in life to achieve greatness.
She said that though she did not want to attend a polytechnic, she was grateful her dad encouraged her to do so.
Source: Legit.ng
