The media community in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, was plunged into deep sorrow on Monday as two journalists in the state passed away on the same day.
The two deceased journalists, Patience John and Esther Ukpe, were active members of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
According to reports, Ms. John, who worked with the state-owned AKBC-TV, died on her way to the hospital due to an undisclosed illness. On the other hand, Ms. Ukpe, the editor of an independent publication called Explicit, reportedly slumped and died a few hours later.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State expressed shock over the tragic incidents. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, the governor said, “The late Comrade Patience John was an integral part of the Press Corps in my office and was noted for her diligence and hard work.”
The governor further stated, “While we were struggling to absorb the sad news of her death, we received news of the sudden death of yet another journalist, Comrade Esther Ukpe of the Federated Chapel of the Union. This is deeply sad and unfortunate.”
The governor consoled the families of the deceased journalists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, praying for the eternal repose of their souls.
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Ini Ememobong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, also expressed his condolences, describing the journalists’ passing as a “dark day” for the media community in the state.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the Chairman, leadership, and entire members of the State Council and the Acting Director General and staff of the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) on these deaths, which have brought untold grief to our association and our state,” Ememobong said.
The commissioner praised the journalists as “very illustrious and hardworking in the execution of their assigned responsibilities,” stating that they will be deeply missed.
