Meet UNN Prof. PN Okeke, the man who made Nigerian students love physics

Celebrating PN Okeke, the man who made Nigerian students love physics and the physics textbook as written by PN Okeke became a household revered among science students.Meet UNN Prof. PN Okeke, the man who made Nigerian students love physics

Every discipline or field of endeavor has certain individuals who are regarded as heroes for the huge legacies they lay down in the course of duty or service.

In political science as a field, the likes of David Easton and Harold Lasswell are highly revered such that, their definition of politics is the most referenced in the world.

Albert Einstien and his theory of relativity are as popular as the study of science anywhere in the world. It’s the same way we can’t talk about basketball without a mention of Micheal Jordan neither can we talk about pole vault without a mention of Yelena Isinbayeva.

This is how Pius Nwankwo Okeke popularly known as PN Okeke is revered among science students in Nigeria especially those who had senior secondary physics as a template and guide for studies while in secondary school.

The emeritus professor of astronomy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was able to simplify and break down the basic tenets and concepts of physics as a subject that endeared the physics textbook to students.

The physics textbook as written by PN Okeke became a household name such that it was very popular than the individual who wrote the book.

This is why for those who would get admitted to study later at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) it was an honour to have seen Okeke and draw directly from his reservoir of knowledge physically via lectures, seminars, and conferences.

Indeed Okeke laid an indelible Mark that would outlive him on planet Earth not just in academics but in the lives of students especially those who took time to study and masticate his book.

Okeke who was born in 1941 on October 30th deserves his due accolades and should be celebrated as a scholar par excellence who made a subject some students dreaded lovable.

Previously students were accustomed to the likes of Nelkon and Parker advanced level physics published in 1958 however, the publication of senior secondary physics in 1987 as written PN Okeke became a saving grace for students who hitherto had difficulties understanding Nelkon and Parker textbook.

It won’t be bad if some Nigerian universities establish a professional chair in honour of Okeke. Moreso, corporate bodies can establish scholarship packages for students in secondary especially those who distinguish themselves in physics as a subject.