Two members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Patience John and Esther Ukpe have been reported dead same day, while one died while being rushed to the hospital for an undisclosed ailment, the other slumped and died hours later.
Penpushing reports that John was staff of Akwa Ibom State owned television, while Upke until her death was the editor of Explicit, an independent publication, and both were active members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Akwa Ibom State Chapter
The sad incidents occurred Uyo and in a statement Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State expressed shock over the sudden death, pointing out that John was an integral part of the Press Corps in his office, who was noted to be hardworking
“The late Comrade Patience John was an integral part of the Press Corps in my Office and was noted as a diligent and hardworking professional. While we were struggling to absorb the sad news of her death, then came 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,”
Penpushing further reports that the Governor in the statement by his spokesperson Ekerete Udoh on Wednesday consoled the family of the deceased journalists and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and prayed for God to grant eternal repose to the souls of the departed journalists.
The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information Ini Ememobong in his condolence message to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), lamented the demise of the media practitioners, stressing that it was a dark day for journalists in the state and devastating .
“I extend my deepest condolences to the Chairman, leadership and the 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. These journalists were very illustrious and hardworking in the execution of their assigned responsibilities. We will miss them sorely’, Ememobong said.
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