NECO Boss Died after Brief Illness, Say Examination Body, Police

Ikpeazu mourns the late registrar

By Laleye Dipo in Minna and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Police and the National Examination Council (NECO) Headquarters in Minna Niger State have attributed the death of the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the NECO, Professor Godswill Obioma to a brief illness.

This is coming as the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed profound sadness over the death of Obioma, describing it as “yet another blow to the people of Abia State”.

Obioma, who hailed from Nkpa in Bende LGA of Abia State, died barely a year after he was appointed the Registrar of NECO.

In separated statements issued yesterday, the examination body and the police claimed the family corroborated their positions that Obioma died after a brief illness.

NECO’s statement on the issue was signed by its Head of Information and Public Relations, Mr Azeez Sani, while the Niger State Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun issued the statement by the police.

“The attention of Niger State Police Command has been drawn to a publication circulating in some section of social media and national dailies (Not THISDAY) that NECO Registrar, Prof. Godswill Obioma was murdered by unknown gunmen in Minna. This story is totally false, untrue and a pure piece of fake news

“It is important to state categorically that on May 31, 2021 the family of the Registrar/CEO, National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Godswill Obioma formally announced that he passed to eternal glory after a brief illness at National Hospital, Abuja.

“Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the fake news and news reporters are advised to always verify their report before publication to avoid creating unnecessary panic and fear in public domain” the police statement reads.

In its statement titled: “NECO Registrar Dies at the Age of 67,” the examination body, through the Director, Human Resources Management, Mr. Mustapha K. Abdul, in a circular released yesterday, quoted family sources as saying that Obioma died on May 31, 2021 after a brief illness.

“This is contrary to insinuations in the social media that the late Registrar was assassinated in his residence in Minna.

The Circular enjoined staff of the Council to remain calm and

prayed for the repose of the soul of Obioma.

The Niger State Government has also condoled with the family and staff of NECO over the demise of Obioma.

In the condolence message Governor Abubakar Sani Bello described the death of Obioma as a huge loss to the family and the nation.

Bello said in the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje that Obioma’s death came at a time when the country needed his services most for the advancement of the education sector.

The governor noted that since Obioma assumed office a year ago, he had made his impact felt in the running of the organisation through prompt conduct of examination and the release of results.

He prayed for the repose of his soul.

Obioma was born on December 12, 1953 and hails from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

He was appointed Registrar of NECO on May14, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Obioma was a former

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

Until his appointment as Registrar of NECO, Obioma was the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Ebonyi State of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The late Registrar is survived by his wife and children.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Governor, Ikpeazu has expressed profound sadness over the death of Obioma, describing it as “yet another blow to the people of Abia State”.

“It is profoundly depressing for me to write a death tribute to one of our finest academics from Abia State, just barely one year after I had written him a letter of congratulations on his appointment as NECO Registrar,” Ikpeazu lamented.

In the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Abia State governor said that the death of Obioma was not only a major blow to the people of Abia State but also “a greater blow to him as a person due to their relationship.”

“Professor Obioma was a personal friend of mine. As academics, we understood each other. He was always willing to listen to me and was always willing to bring his huge experience in educational administration to bear on what we do here.

“He was clearly one of the finest Mathematicians this country has ever produced. I feel a deep and personal sense of loss at his death. It is almost impossible to produce alternatives to men like Professor Obioma,” Ikpeazu said.

He regretted that Abia has lost two eminent academics recently, saying “just last week we buried the late Chidi Izuwah, the Director General of the Infrastructure Regulatory and Concession Commission at the Presidency. Now we have lost Professor Obioma”.