Famous security expert, Ona Ekhomu, dies of COVID-19

A popular security expert and analyst, Chief Ona Ekhomu, has died of COVID-19.

Ekhomu, who was the Chairman, Trans-World Security Systems, died on Monday in Lagos at the age of 66 after a brief illness.

His wife was said to have notified his colleagues at the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria about two weeks ago that he had contracted COVID-19.

A source at the association said, “She notified industry players that he had contracted COVID and solicited prayers for her husband. But this morning we received the sad news of his passing on Monday night.”

Born March 26th 1955 in Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, Ekhomu was the first chartered security professional in West Africa.

He was a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) No. 14210 and Certified Protection Professional (CPP) No. 8851.

Ekhomu attended Western Boys’ High School, Benin City, Edo State, 1972; Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, 1974; 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.

He also 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.