# Emeka Joseph Otagburuagu

Emeka Joseph Otagburuagu (born February 18, 1948) is a Nigerian Professor of English and Applied Linguistics. He is the traditional ruler (Ezeudo II) of Amaitolu Ovungwu Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. Otagburuagu was Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2008-2010). He served as the President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Nsukka (2002), and President of the Ngwa Town Union between 2006 and 2010. He is the author of Echoes of Violence and Udaram, which was adapted into a movie. Otagburuagu was awarded the Merited Accomplishments Award in the Contemporary World by the American Biographical Institute, United States of America in 2004.

## Early life and education

Emeka Joseph Otagburuagu was born on February 18, 1948 at Umuejije village, Amaitolu Ovungwu Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State to David Akataobi and Grace Nwanyinma Otagburuagu. He attended the Government Secondary School. Afikpo, graduating in 1966. He won a Federal Government Undergraduate Bursary Award in 1975 and gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Otagburuagu obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Second Class Honours, Upper Division) in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1979. In 1984, Otagburuagu earned a Master of Arts Degree in English from the same University. He attended the British Council Summer School at the University of Leeds. United Kingdom and got a Specialist Certificate in English Language Teaching in Large Classes in 1993. In 1996, Emeka Otagburuagu earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, winning the University of Nigeria Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Research Prize and the Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate Research Prize, University of Nigeria.

## Career

Emeka Otagburuagu has served as a Junior Academic. University of Nigeria from 1982 to 1988. He became a senior lecturer in English at the University of Nigeria in 1988 and rose through the ranks to Professor of English in 2001. He has served as the coordinator of the Use of English Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria at different times between 1989 and 2002 . He has also served as Director of the School of General Studies. Emeka Otagburuagu was the Chairman of Hall Masters and Hall Wardens of the University and in 2006, he was appointed the Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He served as the President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Nsukka (2002), and President of the Ngwa Town Union between 2006 and 2010. From 2000 to 2012, he was Advisor, Research Board. American Biographical Institute, USA. From 2003 to 2005, he was the National Vice-President, South-East Zone. University of Nigeria Alumni Association. From 2006 to 2013, Otagburuagu was Visiting Professor, Department of English. Ebonyi state University, Abakaliki and Visiting Professor, Kogi State University. Anyigba in 2013. He was also Vice Chairman, Governing Council, Public Administration, Institute of Nigeria from 2012 to 2013. Emeka Otagburuagu has served as Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of Department of English in the Faculty of Arts, Evangel University, Akaeze.

## Reign

Emeka Otagburuagu became the second traditional ruler (Ezeudo II) of Amaitolu Ovungwu Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, July 28, 2023, after about thirteen years of the community not having a traditional ruler.

## Fellowship and membership

Otagburuagu is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (2007); Fellow, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria. (2008); Fellow, Public Administration and Management Development Institute of Nigeria. (2012); Member, Nigeria Academy of Letters; Member, Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN); Member, International Reading Association (USA); Member, Nigerian Folklore Society and Member, Nigerian English Studies Association (NESA).

## Editorship of academic journals

Otagburuagu was Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Liberal Studies, and, Editor, Journal of Language and Business Education (1992); he was Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Contemporary Language and Communication Studies in 2002. In 2004, he served as the Consulting Editor, the Contemporary Who's Who of the American Biographical Institute. Otagburuagu was also the Editor-in-Chief, Ikenga International Journal of African Studies in 2006. He serves as Consulting Editor for Ikenga International Journal of African Studies, which was scopus-indexed in 2021.

## Poetry

Otagburuagu, E.J. "Another Dawn" in Okike, Number 41, February 1999.

## Personal life

Emeka Otagburuagu is married to Lolo Ngozi Comfort Otagburuagu and they have children.