By Gabriela Ezin, Calabar
The remains of former South South Deputy Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Anietie Ben Akpan, have been laid to rest in his hometown of Ekpeneobo, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, amid tributes to his professionalism, integrity and contributions to journalism.
The funeral service, held at the community playground in Ekpeneobo, drew journalists, family members, friends, community leaders and members of the Living Faith Church, who gathered to honour the late journalist.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, described Akpan as a seasoned professional who maintained a strong bond with the state despite being an indigene of Akwa Ibom.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Nsa Gill, the governor said Akpan spent many years living and working in Cross River, making Calabar his second home and contributing significantly to the state’s development through his journalism.
Otu praised the deceased for upholding the ethics of the profession, particularly his commitment to balance, objectivity and fairness at a time sensational reporting was becoming increasingly common.
According to the governor, Akpan’s reports gave voice to the Niger Delta, highlighted its development challenges and projected the people and their aspirations. He said Cross River had lost not just a respected journalist but also a friend and a bridge between the state and the media.
The governor urged the family to draw strength from the legacy Akpan left behind, noting that his professional accomplishments and service to society would continue to inspire younger journalists. He also prayed for the repose of his soul and strength for the bereaved family.
In his sermon, the Akwa Ibom State Pastor of Living Faith Church, Pastor Tunde Olaghende, urged Christians to live purposeful lives, make meaningful contributions to society and leave legacies that would ensure they were remembered positively after death.
The tributes that followed celebrated Akpan as a humble, dedicated professional who maintained strong ties with his community and colleagues.
President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, described the death as a painful loss to the journalism profession.
Represented by the Cross River State NUJ Chairman, Archibong Bassey, the union president said Akpan was a committed media professional whose contribution to journalism and the dissemination of information would remain part of his enduring legacy.
He added that beyond his professional achievements, the deceased was a respected colleague and friend whose relationships with others would be deeply missed, noting that his passing had left a difficult void to fill.
A former INEC commissioner and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Aniedi Ikoiwak, also paid tribute to Akpan, describing him as a balanced and objective reporter.
Ikoiwak, who recalled sitting on the same bench with Akpan on their first day in secondary school, said their friendship continued into their professional lives, with Akpan pursuing journalism while he worked in the electoral system. They maintained contact, sharing news and opportunities.
He described Akpan as a cheerful and transparent individual whose reports were so balanced that readers found it difficult to identify any personal bias, adding that younger journalists should emulate the virtue.
Akpan spent many years with The Guardian, covering politics, governance and development across the South South and the wider Niger Delta region.
He is survived by his wife, children and extended family.
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