Tributes pour in as veteran journalist Aniete Akpan dies

A veteran journalist and former Deputy Bureau Chief of The Guardian in the South-south region, Anietie Akpan, died on Sunday night, according to the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Akpan spent more than three decades in journalism, earning a reputation for his coverage of public affairs and child rights issues before leaving The Guardian to establish his own newspaper, Pillartoday.com.ng.

A statement on Monday by the NUJ Cross River State Council, described Akpan’s death as “a monumental loss” to the journalism profession and the state.

The Cross River NUJ Chairman, Archibong Bassey in the statement, said “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”.

The union said Akpan distinguished himself through “dedication, integrity and commitment to excellence” during a career that spanned over three decades.

It expressed condolences to his family and prayed for the strength to bear the loss, adding that funeral arrangements would be announced later.

Also, the spokesman to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Linus Obogo paid tribute to the late journalist in a message shared 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,” Obogo wrote.