Press Release
Dr Alex Egbona, a member of the House of Representatives, has mourned Mr Anietie Ben Akpan, publisher of the Calabar-based The Pillar Today newspaper, who departed this earth on Sunday, August, 2.
Egbona, the member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the House from Cross River State, described the loss as a terrible loss to his family, the journalism profession in the Niger Delta and the NUJ family in Cross River State.
He said on Wednesday that he had difficulty believing that Akpan had died when the journalism world was still in need of his services.
Saying that the Association of Niger Delta Online Publishers, ANDOP, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, would miss him sorely, Egbona recalled knowing Akpan when the reporter was working for The Guardian in Calabar.
“A few weeks ago, my attention was drawn to the health condition of Mr Anitie Ben Akpan. I was told he needed financial assistance to enable him go through some urgent medical procedures.
“I did not only assist, I was in a hurry to send the financial assistance. I also reached out to his representative in the National Assembly, who is a close friend. I wanted Anietie to live and continue doing his good works for humanity.
“But two days ago, I got the shocking news that he had passed on. At first, I did not believe it was true. That news made me really sad. He was a good journalist and had paid his dues. This is a huge loss to the NUJ family and to the Association of Niger Delta Online Publishers which he belonged.
“My heart is with his family. I pray that they find comfort in God’s arms. I pray that God will give them the grace to go through this pain. But I can also assure them that they cannot walk alone during these trying times,” he said.
Death snatches our colleague, ANDOP
Members of the Association of Niger Delta Online Publishers, ANDOP, have expressed sadness over the death of their member, Mr Anietie Ben Akpan, who, until his death on August 2, was the publisher of the Calabar-based, The Pillar Today.
Founding President of the association, Mr Ofonime Umanah, and the secretary, Celestine Ogolo, said in a joint statement on Tuesday, that the online publishers were devastated by the news of the death of the veteran journalist.
The association said “we got the news of the death of our friend, colleague and brother, Mr Anietie Ben Akpan on Monday and got very devastated. We know he was down in health but each time we spoke with him, he was very lively and hopeful.
“As a new professional organization, we saw in Akpan, a thorough bred professional who was willing and ready to contribute to our dreams of reshaping online publishing in the Niger Delta. He showed the enthusiasm to be the change agent that we needed in the online publishing business.
“Hearing of his death has destabilised us. We wish it did not happen. We wish it were a dream. We have lost a friend, a true professional and partner in progress. This is, indeed, too painful for us to bear.”
The online publishers prayed God to sustain and comfort the bereaved family, even as they promised to be there for them especially during this trying period.
The statement added: “Our heart goes to the bereaved family. This is their trying times and we share in their pains. May God comfort, sustain and keep them strong at this time. May the soul of our departed colleague rest in the bosom of the Lord.’’
Though from Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom State, no date has yet been fixed for Akpan’s funeral service.
