By Our Reporter
Like a kite feasting on chickens, death has preyed on four members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Straightnews has gathered.
Within five days, death had decapitated the members- two females and two males- of the union on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2024 respectively.
Straightnews learnt that Patience John of AKBC (Television Service), Uyo and Esther Ukpe of Federated Chapel jetted to the great beyond on 2 September; Anthony Etim of AKBC (Television Service), Uyo bowed to the grim reaper on 4 September while Idiongo Akpanukoh of Federated Chapel is said to have joined the earthly exit on Friday, 6 September.
Imoh Etimudo, a Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Media writing on his Facebook timeline on the headline ADIEU, DEPARTED JOURNALISTS said ‘‘Still hard to accept the reality of the deaths of my dear colleagues, the late Comrades Patience John, Tony Etim and Esther Ukpe. Sad enough, they were not just my colleagues, I was friendly with them.
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- The journalist recalled that ‘‘A week before Patience died, I met her where two of us worked. When she walked out, she met me at the lobby writing, and greeted. I gave her one joke and she laughed forever.
Etimudo noted ‘‘Later, she came in again, and greeted me again, I suspected the joke I gave this comrade has exhausted, and she probably needed a refill. So, I answered her greeting and opened my mouth to say something when she interjected and asked me whether her greeting distracted me from writing.
In the eulogy, he posited ‘‘I told her I wanted to confirm from her how many times she had greeted me that day. She asked why? I told her that when I didn’t change my name from “Ime,” her own version of “Patience,” I had the patience of answering greetings up to 50 times but with my new name, I can only take 10.
‘‘So, she should also be counting from her own end. She laughed ceaselessly, and I knew that was exactly what she wanted. And as she left, she told me “Don’t worry, you will not see me again.” Tragically, her prophecy has come to pass.
‘‘I have never seen Patience frowned. She was always smiling. Might be her unique dentition gave her out. She smiled through happiness and a possible anger. All of that, gone! Hmmmmm, what is life!
‘‘I have not seen senior comrade Tony Etim for some time. When we used to meet, she always direct me to where I could share some bottles of understanding. At a point, my steam dimmed, and any time he saw me, he would, “Imoh you have backslidden!” He was a senior colleague but he was friendly with me, although I never watered the quality of my respect for him because of his “classless” disposition.’’
According to him, ‘‘I was not as close to Comrade Esther. But we always greeted. She was not on the same page of gregariousness as myself. Probably, that was just with me. She was always reserved. But she was always punctual and dedicated to our union’s, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council activities.
This is a huge blow to journalists in Akwa Ibom State. In one fell swoop, three soldiers fallen! What a painful loss! Life is meaningless, death is heartless. Our consolation is that they lived virtuous lives. Ours is to carry on with their ideals, especially in our profession, journalism. That will be the most cherished epitaphs in their honour.
For now, we know that there is yet no armour against death except the promise of eternal life in the bosom of Father Abraham.
May God comfort their families and the NUJ, and give them eternal rest.
May the gentle souls of my departed professional colleagues rest in peace!’’ he prayed.
In another message, Dr. Uwem Akpanukoh, Idiongo’s senior brother announced the death of his brother on a Facebook post by Ikpongifono Akpanukoh, Idiongo’s junior brother on Saturday.
Uwem who on behalf of the family announced the shocking news on the headline: Night in the midday with a rider (The exit of a journalist), said ‘‘Burial arrangements to be unfolded soon by the family.’’
After the death of Patience and Esther on Monday, Comrade Amos Etuk, the state NUJ Chairman who spoke with Straightnews described the demise of the two members as ‘‘shocking and heartbreaking.’’
Burial dates are not yet announced by the bereaved families.
