THERE have been confusing and contradictory stories on the death of Prof Godswill Obioma, the late Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of National Examination Council (NECO), who reportedly died on Monday May 31, 2021.
While it is ascertained that Prof Obioma is dead, the manner of the death has been subjected to diverse narratives, with the social media and some section of traditional media agog with a version that the late NECO boss was assassinated by “unknown gunmen.”
On the other hand, however; the police, NECO and the family of Prof Obioma are on the same page, stating that the NECO boss died Monday afternoon after a brief illness. But this story filtered in more or less as a response to the viral account that the death was caused by either unknown gunmen or bandits.
In some social media circles, there was also an angle that Prof Obioma was murdered as a reprisal for the killing of Honourable Ahmed Gulak in Owerri, Imo State capital, last weekend. This was contained in a message the son of the late professor of educational measurement and evaluation, Godswill Obioma the 2nd, shared with the management of NECO on Tuesday morning.
Speaking exclusively to Premium Times on Tuesday morning, Prof Obioma’s personal assistant, Obinna Otumdi, dismissed the gunmen angle, although he admitted that he was not in the best position to speak on the death of NECO boss. “I am sure the family will address the public soon. My boss was ill, briefly, before nature took its course,” Premium Times quoted Otumdi.
NECO Speaks
NECO confirmed the death of Prof Obioma through its Director, Human Resources, Mr Mustapha K. Abdul, who said Obioma died in his sleep as a result of heart failure.
According to Mr Abdul, the second son of the late NECO boss officially reported his father’s death via a communication early Tuesday morning. The notice read reads: “Dear Sir, this is to formally inform you that my father, Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO passed to eternal glory yesterday 31/5/2021 after a brief illness.
“We request that you kindly notify the Board, Management and the entire staff of the Council of this development.
“We shall keep you duly informed.
“Prince Godswill Obioma the 2nd, for the family.”
Mr Abdul later issued a circular to all directors, T. A. to the Registrar/CE; P. A. to the Registrar/CE, Zonal Coordinators, State Officers, Liaison Officers and all staff of NECO, entitled: “Death of NECO Registrar/Chief Executive,” in which he officially communicated the death of Prof Obioma.
The one-paragraph circular reads: “I am directed to inform all staff of the Council of the death of Prof Godswill Obioma, Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), who according to family sources, died yesterday 31st May 2021 after a brief illness. While staff are enjoined to remain calm, the Council prays for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Niger State Police Intervene
Meanwhile the Niger State Police command came out to describe as untrue claims that Prof Obioma was assassinated by unknown gunmen in Minna.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Mr Wasiu Abiodun, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), made the clarification in a statement with Ref. No: AZ:5250/NGS/PPRO/VOL.20/117 on Tuesday afternoon.
The statement reads: “The attention of Niger State Police Command has been drawn to a publication circulating in some section of social media and national dailies 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 31st May, 2021 the family of the Registrar/CEO National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Godwill Obioma formally announced that he passed to eternal glory after a brief illness at National Hospital Abuja.”
