Former chairman, committee of Vice Chancellors reportedly dead

Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, a former chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNUs, and immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, has reportedly passed away.

According to media reports, Professor Edoumiekumo, a professor of economics and social sciencist, reportedly died in Lagos on Friday night following an illness due to complications related to lung cancer.

But a source close to his family only disclosed the development to journalists on Saturday evening.

He died at the age of 53.

Confirming the incident, General Secretary of CVCNUs, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu while speaking to newsmen said, “I’m sorry, we just lost one of our members, who was the immediate past Chairman of the Committee of VCs and also the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumor.

“He handed over the chairmanship of the committee to the incumbent in May this year after successfully completing his tenure.

“His death is shocking to us and to me in particular.”

He added, “Prof. Edoumiekumor was a young and respected scholar and administrator.

“He worked tirelessly, and he died just as he would have wanted to settle down to start enjoying the fruit of his hard work. We will greatly miss him.”

Professor Edoumiekumo was a multiple-award-winning scholar and administrator and a Fellow of many professional bodies, including the Historians of Education Development Society of Nigeria (HOEDSON), the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (FIEN), the Chartered Forensic Investigation Professionals (FCFIP), and the Nigerian Institute of Management, among others. He was also a member of the Nigerian Economic Society.

He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from Akeindenowei Primary School, Toru Angiama, in 1982 and his West Africa School Certificate from Ajeromi Ifelodun High School, Lagos State, in 1988.

The late economics professor held a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and two Doctor of Philosophy Degrees, which he obtained from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and the University of Nsukka.

On May 17, 2017, the then governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, approved the appointment of Edoumiekumo as the acting VC, NDU, following the expiration of the tenure of the former VC, Prof. Humprey Ogoni.

On May 2, 2018, he was appointed the fourth substantive VC of the school.

Until his death, he served as the chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

In another story, terrorists have reportedly kidnapped over 30 farmers in the Chikuri community of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident was said to have occured in the early hours of Saturday.

Confirming the incident, a resident, Dogara Peter, who spoke with newsmen said his mother and sister were among the victims.

According to him, the victims were abducted while working in Maikudi’s farms.

“Our community has been thrown into confusion as we have yet to establish any contact with the abductors. We want the security and the government to swing into action and ensure our people return safely.

Peter lamented that the latest incident was the third time people were kidnapped in his family, noting that it had crippled the family economically.

“We have nowhere to raise money for any ransom. The whole community is traumatised by this sad situation. Our last hope lies in the security agencies and the government,” Peter added.

The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, had not confirmed the incident as at press time.

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