The Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, has mourned the death of its immediate past Vice-Chancellor and Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Registrar, Benjamin Joffa on Sunday.

The PUNCH had on Saturday reported that Edoumiekumo died after a brief illness.

The NDU in the statement described the late Edoumiekumo as an “astute administrator.”

“It’s with heavy hearts that the Management of the Niger Delta University wishes to inform the University Community and general public of the sad passing of our immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Gown Edoumiekumo which happened on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the age of 53 years.

“The University also condoles with the family and relatives of the deceased on the sudden passing of an exemplary husband, father, and brother. Late Prof. S. G. Edoumiekumo was an astute academic and university administrator whose experience and dynamism will be greatly missed.

“Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.”

The PUNCH reports that Edoumiekumo 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 in the year 1988.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Master of Science Degree, and two Doctor of Philosophy Degrees which he obtained from the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nsukka in the field of Economics.

On 17 May 2017, the then-governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson approved the appointment of Edoumiekumo as Acting Vice Chancellor of NDU following the expiration of the tenure of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Humprey Ogoni. On May 2, 2018, he was appointed the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor of the school. Until his death, he served as the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.