Celebration of life: Prof. Han Okeke

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: PROF. HAN OKEKE 

The President and governing Council of the Nigeria of Physiotherapy (NSP) with heavy heart but with submission to the will of the Almighty God, wish to condole with the entire members of the NSP on the demise of our beloved father in the Physiotherapy profession, here in Nigeria and abroad, Professor HAN Okeke. A doyen of Physiotherapy profession in Nigeria, a past President of NSP and Fellow of NSP, Prof. Okeke will forever be remembered by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy. 

HYACINTH NNAGBOGU OKEKE popularly known as Hano Okeke was born on the 2nd of July 1938. He hailed from Okpueze Umumba Ndi-Uno in Enugu, Nigeria.  He was married to Lady Constance Akuegbonwu Okeke (Nee Onyeagba) and they were blessed with four kids and grandchildren.

Hano Okeke had his physiotherapy training at West Middlesex teaching Hospital Physiotherapy School London after which he proceeded to the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine, school of medicine Rehabilitation, Winnipeg, Canada.

For his training as an academia, he attended the New York University USA and Hawaii Pacific University, USA.

He started his career as a Physiotherapist (Clinician) at the Hilling Don General Hospital, Uxbridge Middlesex; after which he returned to Nigeria to start the physiotherapy department at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu where he later became the Chief Physiotherapist and Head of Department from 1981 – 1994.

He was instrumental to the design of the exquisite structure of the present physiotherapy department at Ituku- Ozalla.  Prof Hano Okeke also worked in various institution outside Nigeria as a physiotherapist. These include Powell River Hospital, British Colombia, Canada; Long Island Developmental Center Melville, New York (1988-1990), King Khaled Specialist Hospital, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Ministry of Health(1995 and 2001).

As an academia, Prof Hano loved to teach and imbibe knowledge and as such selflessly took up lecturing duties in various schools both in and out of the country at various times. He taught Physiotherapy students, Nursing students and Medical students at the University of Nigeria Enugu campus. He also lectured at Khaled University Teaching Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Physical therapy, Kuwait University, Middle East. He taught as a Professor in Madonna University and also took up a contract job at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. This he carried out till his death.

His administrative responsibilities and committee membership made him Head of department at UNTH, Enugu, Treatment Team B Long Island Developmental Center New York and King Khaled Specialist Hospital Tabuk Saudi Arabia.

Prof Hano was also very much involved in community project (including past assistant secretary and secretary of Enugu Rotary Club and State coordinator , Polio- Plus Mass Immunization Programme in Nigeria of Rotary International ) and church projects.

He was honored for his selfless and patriotic service by the National executive council (NEC) of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) with an award as a Doyen of his profession. He was an embodiment of peace, unity, philanthropy and support with a good sense of humour.

Professor Hano Okeke is someone that will be indeed missed by all. May his soul rest in peace.