The International Foundation for Protection Officers and Security Magazine has announced industry security expert, Dr Victoria Omonigho Ekhomu as the recipient of the 2023 Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence.
In 2017, the International Foundation for Protection Officers, together with Security Magazine, announced the Inaugural Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence, an award that recognizes one security professional or organization for professional excellence or exceptional service in the security profession.
Dr (Amb), Chief, VictoriaOmonigho Ekhomu, wife of the late security czar, Dr Ona Ekhomu, was born in Igueben Edo State in Nigeria. He is the Group Managing Director / CEO of TRANSWORLD SECURITY, the foremost asset protection company. Head of the School of Management & Security.
Dr Ekhomu is also the president of the Association of Safety & Security Operators of Nigeria (AISSON).
Victoria is a member of the Board of Trustees of the ASIS Foundation. He is the Chairman of the Africa Advisory Board of ASIS International, where he leads Africa.
Victoria previously served as Senior Regional Vice President for West, Central & North Africa., for ASIS International from 2010- Dec.2015. He was the Vice President of the Western Region, Central Africa, from 2008-2010. He also served as ASIS Chapter Chair, after serving as Program Chair, and Secretary.
Ekhomu is the first Nigerian to be appointed to the ASIS International Awards Committee. She was board certified by the ASIS Certification Board as a Certified Protection Professional(CPP) in 2005. She was the first woman to obtain the CPP Certification in Africa.
Victoria receives Lifetime Achievement Award from ASIS 206 Lagos& ASIS Region 11. ASIS International is the world’s largest professional security body, with over 38,000
Ekhomu received the Women in Security Global Community Karen Marquez Honors Award in (2015), which recognizes female security professionals who have consistently worked for the betterment of the security industry over a long period of time. Victoria was awarded the Certificate of Appointment as an Ambassador for World Peace (AMB), by the United Nations on October 9, 2020. She is the African representative of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO). As a Certified Protection Officer (CPO) Instructor, he has obtained his CPOIC certification from the IFPO. Victoria Ekhomu is a Trustee of AISSON (Association of Industrial Security & Safety Operators of Nigeria).
Ekhomu was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science Honoris Causa (D.Sc.) in Industrial Safety, Risk Management & Corporate Governance, by the European-American University. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos. Victoria holds a Harvard Business School certificate in Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies. Dame Victoria holds a Certificate in Advanced Management from Lagos Business School. He is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and an honored member of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC). Ekhomu has a Fellowship Award from the Institute of Security, Nigeria (FISN). He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Industrial Safety (NIIS). He holds a Fellowship from the Institute of Criminal Justice and Criminology Administration.
Dame Victoria Ekhomu was honored by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria’s Private Security Regulator, in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALSPN), with an Award of excellence. Chief Victoria, has the title of ruler, Yeye Fiwaboye of Ilewo. She served as former National President of SMAGOGA (St Maria Goretti Old Girl’s Association), and LagosPresident for her Alma Mater. He is a Knight in the Anglican Church, with whom he is blessed with a beautiful child.
Each year, one security professional or organization is recognized for professional excellence and/or outstanding service/conduct in the security profession by the International Foundation for Protection Officers. “The nominations submitted this year are all outstanding professional advocates,” said Sandi Davies, IFPO Chief Executive. Our esteemed award committee unanimously and unanimously concluded that Mrs. Ekhomu is this year’s recipient.
We are very proud to have handbill on the IFPO Board of Directors for more than ten years,” said Davies. “His long and outstanding service to our organization makes a significant difference. Bill has provided strategic direction and vision for the foundation. As an industry insider, his leadership has been instrumental in making the foundation the success it is today.
Bill Zalud served in the US Army for many years. In 1987, Zalud became the editor of SECURITY MAGAZINE and SDM Magazine. He spent more than three decades covering and shaping the security industry. Knowledge of the industry, readers, advertisers of publications and products and services brings great value to their contributions.
In 2009, Zalud became editor emeritus working with Editor Diane Ritchey. He continues to conduct research, writing insightful articles, columns and blogs. He wrote the Zalud Report, a popular column on technology and industry trends, until a few years ago.