Anietie Akpan, veteran journalist and publisher, passes away

Veteran journalist and publisher Anietie Akpan has died.

Mr Akpan, who was the former deputy bureau chief of The Guardian in Nigeria’s South-south region, passed away on Sunday night. This was confirmed by the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He dedicated over thirty years to journalism. He was known for covering public affairs and child rights issues. After leaving The Guardian, he started his own newspaper, Pillartoday.com.ng.

On Monday, the NUJ Cross River State Council called his death “a monumental loss” to the journalism field and the state.

“The passing is a monumental loss, not only to the NUJ family but also to the media profession and Cross River State as a whole,” said the statement from council chairman Archibong Bassey.

The union praised Mr Akpan for his “dedication, integrity and commitment to excellence” throughout his over thirty-year career. They expressed their condolences to his family and prayed for their strength in this difficult time. They also said funeral arrangements would be revealed later.

Tributes

Linus Obogo, who is the spokesman for Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, honored the late journalist in a message posted on Facebook on Monday.

“Good night and rest peacefully in the Lord, Oga Anietie Akpan. You blazed the trail and paved the way for others to follow. The journalism profession just lost a gem,” Mr Obogo wrote.

Career marked by resilience

Mr Akpan was well-known in media circles in Cross River and nearby Akwa Ibom States for his long reporting career and for mentoring younger journalists.

He received a special award from Safe Child Africa, a UK-based NGO, for his work on child witchcraft issues in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

In what became one of his last published reports, titled “Marina Road Ruts Into Two,” Mr Akpan noted his worsening health in the byline. He wrote: “By Anietie Akpan, from his sick bed with assistance by his wife, Imaobong, daughter Etinyene and neighbour Idongesit Otoobong.”

Mr Akpan’s unique byline showed his determination to keep reporting despite his illness. His death has brought tributes from colleagues and public officials, who called him a respected journalist. They said his work greatly influenced journalism in Cross River and the South-south region.