Glowing encomiums have been poured on a seasoned broadcaster and a retired management staff of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), housing radio and television stations in the Nigeria’s South South region, who had passed into eternity.
Mrs. Margaret Eshiet, the seasoned broadcaster who cut her broadcasting teeth with Cross River Radio, Calabar in the 70s and later joined Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC, after the state creation passed away in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday, September 8.
The latest ecomium came from Pastor Anietie Ukpe, AKBC Director-General, who expressed shock over her sudden demise, described her as a wonderful person and an ace broadcaster.
Ukpe who assumed duty in the corporation as Director-General in 2015 said ‘’She did her work extremely well. She was an asset to broadcasting industry. Even after retirement because of her passion for broadcasting she was lending a hand sometimes without even collecting money.
‘’We would greatly miss her. We extend our condolences to her family and AKBC offers prayers to the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, some seasoned broadcasters in Akwa Ibom State, have joined in mourning the untimely death of their mentor in what they described as monumental loss to broadcasting industry.
Mrs. Elsie Udofia, who rose to the position of acting Director-General of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation before she retired from active service and a seasoned broadcaster, described Mrs. Eshiet as her mentor and motivator.
‘’She corrected her mentees because of her nature with love. She was a big sister to me and was the person who showed me nitty gritty in broadcasting,’’ she said.
Udofia, who was also the state chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, remarked ‘’Eventhough I came to the corporation with a higher qualification, she respected me and showed many things in the industry. We have lost a great and talented broadcaster. May her soul rest in peace!’’
Boniface Ebewo, another seasoned broadcaster, described her death as a big loss to Akwa Ibom people, big loss to Nigerians and to big loss to fellow broadcasters.
Ebewo who is the founder of Real Brass Band recalled ‘’She was a trainer who had trained many. I passed through her rigorous training. Whatever I am today, I give credit to her. What I know about broadcasting and the marks I have made today were possible through her rigorous training.
‘’I enjoined many Nigerians to mourn her exit and to pray God Almighty to grant her eternal repose in the bossom of Abraham,’’ Ebewo noted.
Margaret Eshiet who retired from service as Manager, Presentations in AKBC five years ago, was a mother of four children and grand mother.
A seasoned broadcaster with many media awards from local, state and international levels, she was born in oil-rich Upenekang in Ibeno local government area of the state.
Aged 65, Eshiet, popularly known as “Mma Sibaba Sibaba” was famous for her chit-chat vernacular programme in Ibibio which she used to highlight societal ills every Thursday on Radio Akwa Ibom 90.5 FM, Uyo.
She was a household name in broadcasting, a comedian of no-mean repute, compere and producer of ‘Sibaba Sibaba,’ one of the popular programmes on radio.
She had trained many On-Air Personalities, OAP.
