Security Sector Mourns Ekhomu

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Encomiums have continued to pour in for the late Chairman of Transworld Security Systems, Dr. Ona Ekhomu.

His death threw the security sector into mourning, especially the private sector, most of whom he mentored to register and start their companies.

Ekhomu, a global leader in industrial security and a founding member of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) International in Nigeria, died on Monday in Lagos after a brief illness.

Former Assistant General of Police Zone 2, AIG Ahmed Iliyasu (rtd), described the deceased as “an iconic security strategist of modern times.

“He was always striving in preferring solutions, ways and answers to emerging and new patterns of crime and criminality especially insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, sabotage in the arena of low intensity warfare.

“A professional whose mind is always tinkering on new ways and improving synergy and collaboration through community policing/technically- driven strategies in fighting the menace of all kinds of crime.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Badinson Security, Mathew Ibadin wrote, “

This is a loss whose impact will be strongly felt by many because Chief Dr. Ona Ekhomu was a visionary to be reckoned with.

“He was my teacher, he delivered a lecture organised by PCRC Victoria Island on Practical Implementation of Community Policing.

“He was one who had the interest of the community at heart and always at the fore to fight again any form of crime.

“Chief Ona was an icon in the security industry. He encouraged me to register my security company because he was enthusiastic about progress and development of those around him.

“ He was a friend, a brother and a mentor in the security industry. But as Rabindranath once said, “Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come”. His song may have ended, but his melody still lives on within us.”

In his tribute, CEO, Halogen Group, Wale Olaoye said: “What a devastating loss to our industry and to the nation at large. It was only last week that I followed up on your health, the one I fondly call ‘DocSec’. The report was that of hope and progress.

“But what can we, to the owner of life? He is the ultimate Kabiesi; the one who is beyond questioning. We surrender to His will for your life and thank Him for the opportunity He gave to us to know you and to navigate the path that you helped blazed as an Icon and solid trail blazer.

“ You have fought a good fight and left an indelible mark. May Heavens account unto you the works as righteousness and yield unto you heaven and eternal rest in glory.

“ Divinity strengthen your co-pilot on this side of the divide, Dame Victoria and uphold her with faith and courage to bear this irreparable loss. May Heavens comfort her and the children and abide with your entire family.”

The renowned security expert, who was born March 26, 1955 in Irrua, Edo State, was the first chartered security professional in West Africa.

Author of the highly acclaimed book on security awareness: Effective Personal & Corporate Security (2009), Kidnap: Face to face with death (2014), he is also President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) and the Africa Representative of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO).

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) No. 14210 and Certified Protection Professional (CPP) No. 8851, Dr. Ekhomu obtained the BA (History) from Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina USA 1977. M.A (Political Science) from the Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 1979; and PhD (Public and International Affairs – Policy Management) from the University of Pittsburgh, USA 1985.

The Fiwagboye of Ilewo (Ogun State) and Ogbeni of Irrua (Edo State) attended the Security Officer Training Academy of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania USA (1986).

He obtained the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act 235 Lethal Weapons Licence in 1986.