Samuel Okoye

Samuel Ejikeme Okoye (26 July 1939 – 18 November 2009)[1] was a Nigerian astrophysicist from Amawbia in Anambra State, Nigeria. Okoye was the first black African to obtain a doctorate degree in Radio Astronomy.[2]

Professor Sam Okoye
BornSamuel Ejikeme Okoye
(1939-07-26)26 July 1939
Amawbia, Nigeria
Died18 November 2009(2009-11-18) (aged 70)
London, England, United Kingdom
OccupationTeacher, Researcher, Writer and Administrator
NationalityNigerian
SpouseChi Okoye

Early life and education

Samuel Okoye was born in Amawbia, in south eastern Nigeria, Simeon and Agnes Okoye. He was the fifth of nine children. Simeon died late in 1949 when Sam was ten years.

Okoye obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc), First Class Honors in Physics from University of Ibadan, established in 1948 as a college of the University of London and a doctorate degree (PhD) in Radio Astronomy from Churchill College, University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, making him the first black African to obtain a doctorate in Radio Astronomy.[1][2]

Okoye was a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science[3] as well as the Royal Astronomical Society of the United Kingdom. He was a member of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, the New York Academy of Sciences, International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility and the International Astronomical Union.[1]

Career

Okoye started teaching Physics at the University of Ibadan in 1965 and later transferred to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) just before the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war, where he founded the University’s Space Research Center in 1972.[4] There, he was elevated to a professorship in physics in 1976. Between 1978 and 1989, Professor Okoye was appointed the Director, Division of General Studies, Head Department of Physics and Astronomy; Associate Dean and later Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences. He was acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria from June to September 1978.[1] Okoye was elected Dean School of Post Graduate Studies. University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1987 to 1989.

On the international stage, Okoye attended several Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs between 1979–91, serving as a member of Pugwash Council from 1988–93. Sam was a part-time consultant to the United Nations on the development of Space Science end Technology in developing countries (1979–1986).[1]

Okoye was a visiting scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany between August and October 1986. From 1990-93, Okoye was also appointed Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow at the University of Cambridge and a visiting professor/senior research fellow at the Institute of Astronomy, and fellow commoner at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge. In December 1993, Sam was seconded from the University of Nigeria to the Federal Government[1] as director (overseas liaison), initially at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Lagos, and subsequently the Nigerian Ministry of Science & Technology Abuja, where he also served as the pioneer science attaché and head of the Science and Technology Unit at the Nigerian High Commission, London.

Okoye published numerous scientific papers on Ionosphere Physics, Solar Physics and the Theory of Extragalactic Radio Sources and Cosmology. He also published a monograph, Viable and Affordable Policy Objectives for a Nigerian Space Programme in the 1980s and co-edited two books: Basic Science Development in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects,[5] and the World at the Cross-roads: Towards a Sustainable, Equitable and Liveable World.[6]

Okoye served Nigeria in a number of capacities including:

  • Member of the Federal Government delegation to the World Administrative Radio Conference in Geneva, Switzerland 1979;
  • Member of the Federal Government delegation to the United Nations Conference on Peaceful Uses of Space in Vienna, Austria 1981;
  • Member of the Federal Government Panel charged to produce an integrated energy policy for Nigeria (1984);[1]
  • Chairman, Court of Governors Awka Campus of the Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH), (1988–1989);[7]
  • Member, Governing Council Anambra State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (1988–1989).
  • Pioneer Science attaché, Nigeria High Commission London, United Kingdom (1993-2000).
  • Director, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (1993-2000).

Academic appointments
  • 1961-62: Part-time demonstrator in Physics University College, Ibadan
  • 1962-65: Part-time Demonstrator in Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge.
  • 1965-66: Lecturer II Department of Physics, University of Ibadan.
  • 1966-70: Lecturer Department of Physics, University of Nigeria (UNN)
  • 1970-74: Senior Lecturer, Department of Physics, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1971-72: Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow. Also, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and concurrently Fellow Commoner, Churchill College, Cambridge.
  • 1973 (September): Guest Scientist. Sterrewacht, University of Leiden. The Netherlands.
  • 1974-76: Reader (Associate Professor), Department of Physics, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1975 (July-Oct) Visiting scientist, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.
  • 1974-76: Coordinator, Natural Science Program, Division of General Studies, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1978 (July–August) Director, IAU-UNESCO, International School for Young Astronomers held in UNN for West African participants.
  • 1976 (July –August): Guest Scientist, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge.
  • 1979 (July-Sept) Visiting Scientist, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.
  • 1976-2002: Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1976-78: Director, Division of General Studies, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1978 (July–August) Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1978-81: Head Department of Physics and concurrently, Coordinator, Space Research Centre Project, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1980 (July-Sept) Guest Scientist, Sterrewacht, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
  • 1981-85: Chairman, Implementation Committee of the Space Research Centre Project.
  • 1982-83: Associate Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1983-1985: Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1985-89: Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe Space Research Centre, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1986 (August–October) : Visiting Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn, Germany.
  • 1987-89: Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Nigeria (UNN).
  • 1990-93: Visiting Professor, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and concurrently, Fellow Commoner, Churchill College, Cambridge .

Public appointments
  • 1970-76 Member, Nsukka Local Government Social Welfare Council.
  • 1971-77 Member, Njikoka Divisional School Board.
  • 1975-77 Member. East Central State Coordinating Committee of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
  • 1979 (October–December) Consultant to the Nigerian Delegation to the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • 1982 (August–September). Member, Nigerian Delegation to the 1982 United Nations Conference on peaceful uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE 82) held in Vienna, Austria.
  • 1984 Chairman, Panel on the revamping of science teaching in the Imo State School system.
  • 1984 Member, National Energy Review Panel responsible for the formulation of a comprehensive and integrated national energy policy for Nigeria.
  • 1985 Member, Anambra Review Panel on the merger of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and the Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).
  • 1985 Member, Anambra State Development Advisory Council.
  • 1986 Member, Anambra State Education and Technology (ASET) Fund Mobilizing Committee.
  • 1986-87 Member, Interim Joint Governing Council of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).
  • 1988-90 Member, Governing Council Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).
  • 1988-90 Chairman, Court of Governors, Awka Campus of the Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).
  • 1988-93 Member, Governing Council of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.

Science Attaché

On 18 August 1993 (with effect from 14th September 1993), Okoye was appointed Nigeria's pioneer Science Attaché to the Kingdom to cover all the countries of the European Economic Community. He was seconded (while in London) to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under late Professor Gordian Ezekwe, and subsequently transferred to the office of the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology with effect from 1 January 1994.

Personal life

Okoye married Chinyere Ucheime Obioha in 1969. Chinyere (1942-2007) was a native of Arondizuogu in Imo State, South East (Nigeria). They had four children. Maureen- lawyer, Obinna- IT consultant, Ndidi- physician and Amaechi- political scientist. Okoye died in London on 18 November 2009.[8]

Recognition
  • 1952 - Won the Eastern Nigerian Outlook Newspaper competition for primary school pupils of the old Eastern Nigeria.
  • 1952 - Won full tuition and boarding entrance scholarship to the Government Secondary School, Owerri.
  • 1959 - Won full tuition and boarding College scholarship of the University College, Ibadan, for excellent performance at end of first year examinations performance. This earned him the title of “College Scholar”.
  • 1959 - Awarded the Eastern Nigerian Scholarship for B.Sc (physics) tenable at the University College, Ibadan.
  • 1962 - Won the Departmental Prize for the best graduating student in the Department of Physics of the University of Ibadan.
  • 1962 - Awarded on a worldwide competitive basis the Carnegie Foundation fellowship for doctoral studies tenable at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • 1982 - Inducted as a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science[3]

Publications

Books
  • International Institute for Space Sciences and T. Odhiambo, & Electronics and the Giant Equatorial Radio Telescope, Tata Press Ltd., Bombay, India. G. Swarup, S. E. Okoye 100 pp. (1979).
  • Viable and Affordable Policy Objectives for a Nigerian Space Programme in the 1980s and beyond, An occasional publication of the Department of Physics, University of Nigeria, 108 pp., (1981). S. E. Okoye
  • Basic Science Development in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects. Evans Brothers (Nigeria) Publishers Ltd., 325 pp. (1987). S. E. Okoye & K. M. Onuoha(eds).[5]
  • The World at the crossroads : towards a sustainable, equitable and liveable world : a report to the Pugwash Council edited by Philip B. Smith, Samuel E. Okoye, Jaap de Wilde and Priya Deshingkar. London : Earthscan, 1994. ISBN 1-85383-201-4[6]

Articles
  • “The problem of technological development in developing countries” in “The Proceedings of the 5th international conference on ‘Science and :Society: Scientific, Technological and Social Development., Goals and Values” Belgrade,. pp205–216 (1974) S. E. Okoye
  • ”Perspectives on the Technology Creation and TransferProblem in developing Countries” in “Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Science and Society-- Cooperation and interdependence in the Modern World”. Belgrade., pp 287–295. (1977). S. E. Okoye
  • “Traditional African Languages as a medium for Scientific Creativity and Innovation” in “Readings on African Humanities : African Cultural Development” O.U.Kalu (ed) Fourth Dimension Publishers pp 260–274 (1978). S.E.Okoye.
  • “The Mastery of Space: A matter of Intellectual Identity” in “Alternate Space Future and the Human Condition”— A United Nations Publication. L.Karnik., Pergamon Press New York, pp 78–80 and 118-120. (1982). S.E.Okoye
  • The detection of fine structure in the Crab Nebula at 38 Mc/s, Nature, 203 171, (1964). A. Hewish. & S.E. Okoye
  • Evidence of an unusual source of high brightness temperature in the Crab Nebula, Nature 207, 59-60. (1965) A. Hewish. & S.E. Okoye
  • Irregularities oh plasma density in the solar neighborhood, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.137 287-296. (1968) S.E. Okoye & A. Hewish.
  • The occurrence of large ionospheric irregularities J. atm, terr, Phys., 30, 163-167. (1968). S.E. Okoye & A. Hewish.
  • The interpretation of the X-ray emission detected from nearby Radio Galaxies, Mon, Not, R.Astr, Soc., 160, 339-348. (1972) S.E. Okoye
  • Inverse Compton X-ray generation in QSS and the distance problem. Mon, Not, R. Astr Soc. 165 413-419. (1973). S.E. Okoye
  • The stability of M87 Jet, Mon Not R. Astr Soc, 165, 393-402. (1973). S.E. Okoye
  • Compact Radio Source Spectra, West Afr. J Sci, 19. No2, 159-169. (1974) S.E. Okoye.
  • Inverse Compton X-ray generation in leaky Radio Galaxies. West, Afri, J. Sci. 20. No1, (1975) S.E. Okoye.
  • A model for cm-excess radio sources, Astrophys J. 209, 362-393. (1976). S.E. Okoye
  • The redshift controversy of quasars, Bull. Nig. Inst. 2, No2, 80-99 (1977). S.E. Okoye
  • An exploratory documents on the scientific objectives Radio Astronomy . document 300-E IUCAF, WARC Geneva, pp14. (1979). S.E. Okoye
  • Angular-diameter-red shift relations for Extragalactic Radio Sources, Astrophys J, 260. 37-43. (1982) S.E. Okoye & L.I.Onuora.
  • Proton-proton-collisions in extragalactic radio sources, In: Extragalactic radio sources Ed. D.S.Heeschen & C.M.Wade. D. Reidel. Publ. Co. Boston. USA. (1982) S.E. Okoye & P.N.Okeke
  • Optical inverse Compton emission in extragalactic O.Obinabo. radio sources, In Extragalactic radio sources, Ed. D.S.Heeschen and C.M.Wade., D. Reidel. Publ Co. Boston, USA. (1982) S.E. Okoye & O.Obinabo
  • The variation of radio luminosity with epoch and its effect on the angular-diameter relations. S.E..Okoye Astrophys J. 270. 360-364. (1983) L.I.Onuora S.E. Okoye.
  • The radiation energy density in compact radio sources. West Afri J. Sci vol 25 (1980) S.E.Okoye
  • The Hunger Alert. Bull. Atomic Scientists. 38. No. 1 28-29 (1982). S.E.Okoye
  • Cosmic Dimensions of violence, Discourses, Nig Acad, Sci. 6, 45-55, (1984) S.E.Okoye
  • An investigation of a two-station pulsar inter-Stellar scintillations radio observation program Between Nsukka and Ooctamund, India. Proc. Nig. Acad, Sci. 1 16-23. (1986). S.E.Okoye & P.N.Okeke
  • A test for models of radio source evolution. Astrophys& Spa Sci. 122 267-279. !1986). S.E.Okoye & L.I.Onuora
  • Estimates of proton energies in EGRS. Astrophys. Spa Sci. 132. 65-72. (1987). M.W.Anyakoha, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • Radio Emission from large-scale radio jets. Astrophys J. 328 220-229. (1988). M.W.Anyakoha, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • Space Research: A tool for National Development and Security. Discourses Nig. Acad. Sci. 71-82. (1988). S.E.Okoye
  • A model of gamma ray emission from large-scale Jets. In Proceedings of the American Physics Workshop of Nuclear Spectroscopy of Astrophysical sources., Ed. W Gehoels and G.H.Share. pp 350–355. (1988). M.W.Anyakoha, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • Prediction of high-energy gamma rays from Extragalactic Jets. Astro Lett & Comm. 373-380. (1990). M.W.Anyakoha, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • The confinement and Cosmological evolution of Extragalactic Radio Source Components. Ap.J 383. 56-59. (1991). A.A.Ubachukwu S.E.Okoye & L.I.Onuora
  • Origin of the radio gap in extragalactic radio sources. Astrophys & Spa. Sci. 187. 209-214. (1992). I.E.Ekejiuba, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • The nature of ejected protons from the nuclei of extragalactic radio sources. Astrophys. & Spa. Sci. 167 215-218. (1992). I.E.Ekejiuba, P.N.Okeke & S.E.Okoye
  • 3On the origin of magnetic fields associated with radio haloes in galaxy clusters. Mon. Not. R. Astron Soc. 283 1047-1054. (1996). S.E.Okoye & L.I.Onuora
  • The problem of the interpretation of extra-galactic radio source spectra. (IC/73/104) International Centre for Theoretical Physics. Trieste, Italy. Internal Report. 10pp (1073). S.E.Okoye
  • A Review of the development of Water Resources of small Pacific Islands. Commissioned Report by the Commonwealth Science Council. London. pp 24 (1989) S.E.Okoye
  • Science Information and Dissemination: Regional mobile Science and Technology Exhibitions for developing countries of the Commonwealth. Commissioned Report by the Commonwealth Science Council, London. 15 pp (1991). S.E.Okoye
  • Funding Sources for Commonwealth Science Council Programmes and Projects. Commissioned Report by the Commonwealth Science Council, London. 27 pp (1996) S.E.Okoye
  • National Policy for Science and Technology for the year 2000 AD and beyond : Realizing the National Potential. Report to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja, 33 pp. (1996) S.E.Okoye

References

Citations

  1. siteadmin (2009-11-18). "Professor Sam Okoye, Top Nigerian Scientist, Dies in London | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  2. Holbrook, Jarita; Medupe, R. Thebe; Urama, Johnson O. (2008-01-01). African Cultural Astronomy: Current Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy research in Africa. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781402066399.
  3. "Fellowship – The Nigerian Academy of Science". nas.org.ng. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  4. "University of Nigeria (1960- ) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed". www.blackpast.org. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  5. Basic science development in Nigeria : problems and prospects in SearchWorks catalog. 1987. ISBN 9789781674969. Retrieved 2018-04-03. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. Smith, Philip B.; Okoye, Samuel E.; Wilde, Jaap de; Deshingkar, Priya (2013-04-13). World at the Crossroads: Towards a sustainable, equitable and liveable world (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 9780415852180.
  7. "Professor Sam Okoye, Top Nigerian Scientist, Dies in London". Sahara Reporters. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  8. "Professor Sam Okoye, Top Nigerian Scientist, Dies in London | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2023-09-29.

8. Biography of The Foremost Nigerian Radio Astronomer, Prof Sam E. Okoye FAS, FRAS, FNIP (Authors: Alexander O.E. Animalu and Pius N. Okeke) - Published by Centre for Basic Space Science 2009.

9. Nigeria's first radio astronomer: Astronomy & Geophysics, Volume 61, Issue 5, 1 October 2020, Pages 5.28–5.30

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