By Abdulaziz Ta’ariq.
Late Prof.Krzysztof Schoeneich.
If you passed through Ahmadu Bello University Zaria between 1978 – 2020 and you don’t know his face, then you are not a genuine Abusite!
Prof.Krzysztof Schoeneich was born before the last world war, precisely in the year 1932. He was admitted to the University of Warsaw in 1950, where he studied Geology. He acquired a Master of Science degree in 1955 in the same field and thereafter a Doctoral Degree in hydrogeology (1963).
The legendary geology scholar began his teaching career in the university system in 1955 at the Department of Geology, the University of Warsaw in Poland. He later worked at the Department of Geotechnics and Soil Mechanics at the University of Szczecin.
Prof. Krzysztof Schoeneich is one of the biggest icons of ABU Zaria and a legend in the field of Geology in Nigeria and beyond.
One thing that amazes me about this man is his patience while walking. To be sincere, I have never seen him in a car before. His feet are his wheels, for he believes that by trekking, he is reducing his carbon footprints on the earth’s surface and helping nature.
His humility is priceless. When you greet him, he removes his cap, bows his head, and replies, “Good day, Ma’am/Sir.” This gesture is always heart-melting.
Prof Schoeneich is a gift to nature. The trees, the birds, the cats & all other animals loved him because he always cared & nurtured them. He almost never walks alone, for there’s always a cat strolling right behind him… Lol. He walks with nature. He was always against the cutting down of trees. He constantly preaches about harnessing “Geothermal energy as an alternative source of fuel in Nigerian homes.”
Prof. Krzysztof Schoeneich never misses any program that has “Environmental Sustainability” attached to it. I once engaged him in a conversation. All he spoke about was Environmental Sustainability. If he was to give a TEDTalk on the Environment, it would be one of the longest TEDTalks ever given. He can convince you to dump your cars & start trekking. He told me that he is old but still has a longer lifespan than most Nigerians because he’s always in motion with his feet & not in cars. All I can say is, the world, Nigeria & the North have been blessed with his presence.After serving ABU for a good 40 years, Emeritus Prof finally returned back to his country, Poland.
Professor Schoeneich died on Friday, September 4, 2020 in Warsaw, Poland, his home country, after leaving Nigeria on July 12, 2020.
Abdulaziz Ta’ariq, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,is also the co-founder of Youth Making a Difference Foundation – YMADnigeria)
Credit:Educationmoitornews
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