“I Felt I Was Not Forgotten” – A Journalist’s Long Road Back

CALABAR , CROSS RIVER – Nearly two years after a devastating accident left him fighting for his life, veteran broadcaster Peter Okon is learning to smile again.

Once a familiar voice on the airwaves at the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Okon now lives a quieter life, one marked by recovery, reflection, and a renewed sense of belonging.

When a delegation of journalists and government officials visited him this week ahead of World Press Freedom Day, the moment was more than ceremonial. It was deeply personal.

“When the support came, I felt a strong sense of belonging,” Okon said softly. “The calls, messages, and visits have kept me going.”

A Life Interrupted

The accident that changed everything came suddenly. Knocked down by a reckless driver, Okon’s condition once drew grave concern among colleagues and loved ones.

There were days when recovery seemed uncertain. Days when silence replaced the voice that once informed and entertained thousands.

But time and persistence have slowly rewritten that story.

Now, as he continues to regain strength, those who stood by him say his journey is nothing short of remarkable.

A Visit That Meant More

The recent visit, led by the Deputy Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Edet Otu and supported by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was meant to celebrate his progress.

But beyond the smiles and handshakes, it carried a deeper message: that he had not been forgotten.

“It is good to see you strong and smiling again,” the Deputy Press Secretary, Edem Darlington, told him, recalling a previous hospital visit when the situation had been far more critical.

For Okon, those words and the presence of colleagues mattered.

“One thing journalists appreciate is when colleagues come together,” he said. “It tells you that you are not forgotten.”

The Quiet Struggles of Retirement

Behind the celebration lies a reality often left unspoken: the vulnerability of retired journalists.

As careers end and public attention fades, many face challenges that go beyond health, loneliness, financial strain, and fading visibility.

During the visit, speakers acknowledged this truth, urging the media community not to overlook its own.

“Retired journalists should not be forgotten,” Darlington said. “Beyond ageing, loneliness and neglect can be even more difficult.”

It was a reminder that Okon’s story, while personal, reflects a broader experience shared by many.

Strength in Community

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, described Okon as “a soldier who is winning the battle.”

Her words captured what many in the room felt: that resilience is not just about survival, but about the will to keep moving forward.

Encouragement came from all sides colleagues, friends, and officials, each voice adding to a chorus of support.

More Than a Gesture

The visit ended with prayers and financial support, but its true value lay elsewhere in connection, recognition and dignity.

For Okon, it was a reminder that even after the microphones go silent, the bonds built over years of storytelling endure.

A Story Still Being Written

Recovery, for him, is not a single moment but a journey still unfolding.

Yet in that quiet room in Calabar, surrounded by familiar faces, one thing was clear: his story is far from over.

And perhaps more importantly, he is not walking it alone.

The Bigger Picture

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, Okon’s experience raises a question that lingers beyond celebration:

Who speaks for the journalists when their voices grow quiet?