Thousands of journalists and media professionals from across Nigeria are expected to converge in Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday and Friday, October 22-23, 2026, to bid a farewell to veteran journalist and the departed Editor-in-Chief of PillarToday newspaper, Comrade Anietie B. Akpan, who died at the age of 62.
Among Journalists expected at the funeral are Comrade Archibong Bassey, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council; Mr Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary to Gov Bassey Otu, Mr Nsa Gill, Special Adviser to Gov Otu on Public Affairs; Media mogul Dr Mudiaga Affe; and the University of Calabar Don, Prof. Patrick Ene Okon as well as Alhaji Rasheed Olarewaju, former AIT strongman
Others also expected are Mr Charles Eniang, Publisher of Glimmer Newspaper; Mr James Ebri, Publisher of The Median newspaper and Mr Lawrence Mpama, Publisher of Cross Atlantic Newspaper and Mr Ene Asuquo, Publisher of the Inquirer Newspaper.
Also expected at the solemn gathering are Mr Sam Nsor, General Manager of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC); Ms Florence Oluohu, Editor-in-Chief of Chronicle Newspaper, Mrs Eme Offiong, Zonal Head of the Voice of Nigeria (VON); Mr Diana-Abasi Effiong, retired Zonal Head of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); and Pastor Joseph Kingston, Managing Director of PillarToday Newspaper.
It was also learnt that veteran journalist and NTA strongman, Omini Oden; veteran journalists Vitalis Ugoh; Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley, as well as Dominic Kidzu, former General Manager of Nigerian Chronicle will grace the occasion too.
Retired Permanent Secretaries, Mr Ogbang Akwaji and Mr Emma Akpong, as well as the owner of Hit FM, Mr Patrick Ugbe, are also expected to attend the funeral.
It was further gathered that the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ will send a strong delegation to the funeral.
According to a release issued by Late Anietie’s family, the funeral programme will begin with a Night of Tributes organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the family on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Calabar.
The body of the deceased will lie in state at the NUJ Press Centre, Calabar, on Thursday, October 22, 2026 while Sing Song Night will also take place sane day at the village, Ekpene Obo.
Interment is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026, at his country home in Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The funeral is expected to attract journalists, media executives, politicians, public officials, friends, professional colleagues and associates of the late Anietie Akpan, who made significant contributions to journalism and public communication in Cross River, Akwa Ibom States and beyond.
