CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Prominent media executives, journalists, publishers and government press officials are expected to converge in Akwa Ibom State next week to pay their last respects to veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of PillarToday newspaper, Comrade Anietie B. Akpan, who died aged 62.
The funeral will hold on Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, 2026, in Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Among those expected to attend are Archibong Bassey, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council; Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary to Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu; and Nsa Gill, Special Adviser to the governor on Public Affairs.
Others include media executive Dr Mudiaga Affe; Professor Patrick Ene Okon of the University of Calabar; and Alhaji Rasheed Olarewaju, a former African Independent Television (AIT) executive.
Publishers expected at the funeral include Charles Eniang of Glimmer Newspaper, James Ebri of The Median, Lawrence Mpama of Cross Atlantic Newspaper and Ene Asuquo of The Inquirer.
Also expected are Sam Nsor, General Manager of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation; Florence Oluohu, Editor-in-Chief of Chronicle Newspaper; Eme Offiong, Zonal Head of the Voice of Nigeria; and Diana-Abasi Effiong, a retired Zonal Head of the News Agency of Nigeria.
The Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ is also expected to send a delegation to the funeral.
According to a funeral announcement issued by the deceased’s family, activities will begin with a Night of Tributes organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the family on Tuesday, October 20, in Calabar.
The deceased’s body will lie in state at the NUJ Press Centre, Calabar, on Thursday, October 22, before a sing-song night at his village in Ekpene Obo.
Interment is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at his country home in Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket Local Government Area.
The funeral is expected to bring together journalists, media executives, public officials, friends and professional associates to honour Akpan’s life and career in journalism and public communication across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states and beyond.
