The atmosphere at Skye Bank Plc, 56 Nwaniba Road, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State was somber. In particular, some staffers of marketing department of the bank wore long faces. Others looked speechless and morose. The trending story hitting the department still sounds like cock-and-bull.
“I do not believe Ubong is dead. He has gone to work. He will surely return someday,” one of the colleagues of Ubong Ekpe who died Sunday evening at Ibeno Beach, Iwuokpom in Ibeno local government area of the state, noted.
Another colleague who for officialdom did not mention his name said “I am lost of words. I do not if he is dead or alive.
“How can you tell another person that a young, dynamic, intelligent person full of life is dead? he queried Straightnews reporter who visited the office to confirm the veracity of the tragedy.
As at Wednesday, April 11, the news of the unexpected death of Ekpe who was an Assistant Manager, Marketing Department in the branch still sounded unreal.
His spacious office was open. Yet, there was nobody. His chair and visitors’ seat were unoccupied. Customers who came to source for loans left in disappointment because Ubong was not there to sign their forms.
An anonymous customer remarked “What am I going to do now. I had processed all the forms for collection of loan from this bank. What is there to append his signature for me to collect the money. I have an urgent need.”
That is the dilemma facing the department as Ubong took an unannounced, eternal exit from the bank.
It is said Ubong, together with his wife, four children and Francis, his brother reportedly went to the beach for picnic.
While relishing the ambience of the beach, beefy-looking Ubong was said to have entered the Atlantic Ocean to swim but did not come out from the water.
After few minutes, he did not show up. Francis, his brother who suspected that he might have had a problem jumped into the ocean in an attempt to save Ubong, but he also drowned.
A source at the beach said “They went to catch fun at the beach on Sunday. They were eating when Ubong went inside the beach to swim. But he did not surface. His brother plunged in to rescue him, but got drowned as well.”
Odiko Macdon, the the state police public relations officer, confirmed that the incident happened about 8.30 p.m.
Macdon said: “The Skye Bank manager, his children and wife went to Ibeno Beach to have fun. Sadly, he got drowned. His brother died while trying to save him.”
“The family initially did not report the incident. Their bodies floated and the family took them to Uyo. There is no suspicion of foul play.”
Mr. Ifum Udoh, the Chairman of the Ibeno local government area, told The News Agency of Nigeria that the authorities were working to prevent recurring loss of lives at the beach, adding that the state government had concluded plans to take over the beach.
Our correspondent gathered that the Ekpe family were members of the St. Anthony’s Parish, Ewet Housing.
The late Ubong, who was said to be a philanthropist, was reported to be the owner of a football betting centre on Udo Umana Street.
The Head, Corporate Communications, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa, while confirming the report, said the bank paid a condolence visit to the family on Monday.
“Another visit is planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 11, while a condolence letter on behalf of the management has been dispatched to the family as well.
“Additionally, the bank will be supporting the family with some burial benefits for the burial rites in line with our policy,” he added.
