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| Prof. P.N. Okeke |
Pius Nwankwo Okeke was born on the 30th October, 1941 to the
humble family of Daniel Ndubisi Okeke and the Beatrice Ugogbe Okeke, both from
Oraukwu in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambara State.The father Mr.
Daniel Okeke was a brick layer and exceptionally hardworking and extremely kind
and honest, while the mother was a petty trader, extremely intelligent, a
leader and pace setter for others. .
Pius Nwankwo Okeke attended a primary school in Oraukwu
where he obtained his first school leaving certificate. His most favourite’s
subject in school was mathematics where he always excelled. But initially he
was not interested in other subjects as a result he ended up attending a
private secondary school Washington memorial Grammar school 1957- 1962 where he
had no opportunity to offer physics and chemistry . Pius Nwankwo Okeke felt
that his ambition to be a scientist was thwarted he therefore went to Lagos and
attended Emergency science school Lagos where he did all the science subjects
at O level GCE and then proceeded to A level GCE and got distinction in Pure
and Applied Mathematics and Physics. He
was offered admission to study physics in 1965 at the University of Lagos,
Nigeria
In class the young P.N. Okeke was the best student not only
in the department but the faculty of science. He therefore won the faculty
scholarship to enable him complete his BSc and proceed to a PhD any part of the
world.
Fate has its way, the Nigerian Civil War disrupted Pius
Nwankwo Okeke’s plans though. He was forced to transfer to the University of
Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria where he completed his BSc degree second class honors
upper division in Physics in 1971 and was appointed a Junior Research Fellow of
the University of Nigeria in 1972
Pius Nwankwo. Okeke was the first person to receive a PhD
degree of the University of Nigeria in 1975.
He carried out his Postdoctoral
research in the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom in 1979 under the
supervision of very distinguished Astronomer Professor M.J. Rees. He rose to
the rank of a professor and leader of Space Research Centre University of
Nigeria in 1989.
He tackled many
problems in Astronomy and collaborated with researchers world wide to become a
distinguished international scholar. This led to series of International Awards
that include: Visiting Scientist Harvard Smithsonian Centre USA, 1997, Senior Research
Fellow National Astronomical Observatory, Tokyo, Japan 1993, Visiting
Scientist, University of Tuebingen, Germany 1995; Visiting Professor South
African Astronomical Observatory 1996; External Board Member , South African
National Science Foundation 1994-2000.
Prof. P. N .Okeke is a Fellow of Royal Astronomical Society,
London; Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow of Nigerian Institute of
Physics, Fellow of Planetary and Radio Science, Fellow of IAA,
and United Nations Consultant in Space Science in Africa,
In the course of his dedicated research, he made the
following outstanding discoveries: Discovery of a new eclipsing cataclysmic
variable; Prediction of observational consequences of mini black hole; Proposed
a Nuclear Beam Model in Radio Sources.
Contributed immensely in Astrophysical Spectral Research, Conducted
massive postgraduate training for Nigerian Space Science scholars using
facilities at home and abroad
Prof. P.N. Okeke is the African recipient of the UN/NASA
award in 2007 for his tremendous contributions in the development of Astronomy
in Africa.
In the University of Nigeria, Prof. P.N. Okeke proved to be
a sound administrator: He served as the Head of Dept of Physics & Astronomy
between 1988 – 1992 and 1996 -1997, Dean of Faculty of Physical Sciences, 1999
to 2002; Chairman, Sports Council, Chairman ICT, and Chairman Strategic Contact
Committee.
Prof. Okeke has left an indelible footprint in the building
of human resources in academics. He has produced over 20 Ph.Ds and 30 M.Scs in
Space Science and he is still currently supervising another 5 Ph.D students.
Over 6 of his
students are now professors, heading Space Research programs in other Nigeria
Universities. About 3/4 of Astronomers in Nigeria are the products of Prof.
Okeke
Prof.Okeke is efficiently directing CBSS and is setting up
at its permanent site at Nsukka, one of the largest Radio Telescope in Africa
–a 25 metre Radio Telescope in collaboration with China. The Centre has also
recently been upgraded to African Regional Centre for Space Weather Research.
Through the efforts of P. N. Okeke, CBSS has entered into
collaborative research with over 20 universities and several research
institutes including the National Meteorological Agency, (NIMET). Excellent
work in the areas of Atmospheric Science and Astronomy is going on through out
the country.
Prof. Okeke successfully set up a network of twenty
automatic weather stations operating
through wireless telemetary for monitoring Nigerian Climate as well as
studying Radio Propagation in Nigeria
Prof. P.N. Okeke has recently signed MOU with several countries
for various research programs and over 50 scientists from Nigeria have received
training under these MOUs : National Astronomical Observatory(NAO), Japan ,
South African Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, HartRAO Observatory, S.
Africa, Harvard Smithsonian Centre, USA,
University of Delaware, USA, Altteche Technology, China. And Urumqi Radio
Astronomy Observatory, China.
Professor Okeke has written 15 textbooks in Physics and
Astronomy at both secondary and tertiary levels. These books are today the most
popular in Nigeria and some African countries.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy decided two years
ago to write a special letter of commendation to Prof. Okeke for his enormous
contributions to provision of research facilities, training of members of staff
abroad, and the development of research programs in the department.
As can be seen above, the TWO major ambitions of Prof. Okeke
are almost achieved
To Pioneer Basic Space Science Programs in Africa and
Nigeria in particular through sound postgraduate programs and attraction of
research facilities. Today he is the Director of Centre for Basic Space Science
and the President of African Astronomical Society.
To reform and
simplify the learning and teaching of Physics in secondary and tertiary
institutions in Nigeria. Today his physics books are the best and most
popular in Nigeria and West Africa.
Based on Professor Okeke’s tremendous achievements and his
meritorious Service to the University of Nigeria and humanity, the University
has recently approved his appointment as Professor Emeritus of the University
of Nigeria.
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