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Governor Umo Eno mourns late Punch State Correspondent, Patrick Odey, saying his death is a loss to Akwa Ibom.
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Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Bassey Anthony, laments the second death of a colleague in two years.
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ASUU, clergy and media community honour deceased journalist for his humility, peaceable nature and commitment to God.
October 4, (THEWILL) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has described the death of the State Correspondent of The Punch Newspapers, Mr Patrick Odey, as a loss not only to his immediate family but also to Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor stated this in a condolence message delivered on his behalf by his Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, at the funeral of the late journalist in his hometown, Ogberia, Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Governor Eno said Odey, through his work as a correspondent, contributed significantly to telling the story of Akwa Ibom and bringing developments in the state to a wider audience.
“Through his work as a correspondent, he contributed to telling the Akwa Ibom State story and bringing the activities and development of our state to the wider audience.”
The Governor commiserated with the deceased’s family, the management and staff of The Punch, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, and the wider media community, praying God to grant them strength and fortitude to bear the loss.
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The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Bassey Anthony, described Odey as a peaceable and humble journalist whose commitment to excellence inspired his colleagues.
Anthony, who led members of the Chapel to the funeral, lamented that the death marked the second time in two years that the Chapel had lost a colleague, following the death of Chioma Unaegbu of The Vanguard last year.
Anthony told THEWILL that Odey’s death was a painful reminder of the risks and uncertainties associated with journalism, stressing that his colleagues would remember him for his humility, peaceful disposition and commitment to the profession.
He prayed for God’s comfort for the deceased’s family and protection for members of the Chapel, while urging colleagues to continue to uphold the values of professionalism and camaraderie that Odey exemplified.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo Branch, Prof Opeyemi Olajide, accompanied by the union’s National Financial Secretary, Prof Happiness Uduk, mourned the deceased, describing his life as one worthy of celebration.
In his exhortation, Rev. Offiong Eyo of the Assemblies of God Church, Afaha Oku, urged Christians to live lives worthy of divine reward, describing death as an inevitable moment when the outcome of one’s earthly life is brought into focus.
He recalled Odey’s commitment to serving God fervently and prayed for divine comfort for his wife, children and other members of the family.
THEWILL reports that Odey, who died at the age of 62, is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
