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Mike Akpan, editor-in-chief of Realnews online magazine, who died on Tuesday, September 30, was a teacher, information manager, public relations manager and journalist of repute, thereby making him a big loss to the media industry and the nation

|  By Olu Ojewale  |  Oct. 13, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT  |

WHEN Mike Akpan, editor-in-chief Realnews online magazine, left the office on Friday, September 12, nobody suspected that it was going to be his final day in the office. Although Akpan had complained of ill-health nothing in his mien or the way he carried out his work betrayed the extent of the illness until the following week when he did not show up in the office. Sadly, Akpan died on his hospital bed at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, September 30, a day after his 68th birthday.

As expected, the news about the death of pioneer editor-in-chief of Realnews was received in the media with admixture of caution, shock and incredulity. The cause of the death of Akpan has not been released by the family but that has not stopped reactions from different quarters. A rather reticent and unassuming personality, Akpan was no doubt a poster advertisement for thoroughness and hard-work as many people who spoke with Realnews have recollected.

Ray Ekpu, former chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited, while expressing sadness at the passing away of Akpan, recalled how he first met the deceased in Calabar. It was during Ekpu’s undergraduate days in the 1970s at the ministry of information of the old Cross River State. He recalled: “He was actually someone I worked under in the ministry in Cross River State; that was before he went to the university. I was coming there as an undergraduate and I worked under him and I found out that he was very efficient. So, I took a liken to him and since then, we were getting closer and closer.” The efficiency and dedication to work impressed Ekpu so much that he called him to join Newswatch at inception in 1985. But Akpan did not join immediately.

When he eventually joined Newswatch in 1990, Akpan showed grit and commitment that helped him to move quickly and became editor of the magazine in 1997. “He was a very, very, thorough journalist. That is the word I can find. And also, very hard working and very professional in his approach to journalism. He was thorough, hardworking and very professional.”

It was an emotional thing for Soji Akinrinade, former editor-in-chief of Newswatch, who said he received the news of Akpan with shock. “I am greatly disturbed that the media industry has lost yet another competent hand in the profession. There is no doubt that we will miss him greatly,” he said.  Femi Adesina, president of the Nigerian guild of Editors, expressed sadness that the death of Akpan coming when the industry was still mourning Dimgba Igwe, former vice-chairman of The Sun publication, was a big loss for the media industry. “It is a sad season for Nigerian journalism and editors; we pray God to spare us,’’ he said.

Similarly, Jossy Nkwocha, former general editor of Newswatch and head of corporate communications at Eleme Perochemicals Company Limited, said he was shocked to learn about his death because he was not aware of his illness. “He would be remembered for diligence to duty, his professionalism, his fatherly disposition and his eagerness to mentor young people. He was indeed a journalism icon and would indeed be missed by the entire old Newswatch family. He was quite philosophical about life. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the ironic tragedy of dying on his birthday. Indeed, he was a gentleman to the core. I wish he lived much longer. Nevertheless, may his gentle soul rest in peace,” Nkowcha said.

Tony Iyare, former assistant editor at Newswatch and former special adviser, media affairs to Governor Adams Oshimhole of Edo State, said Akpan’s death has left a void in the media industry. Iyare on his facebook page wrote: “The Newswatch family will forever relish your companionship and disposition to share ideas. When I got marching orders from the editors to cover the 1993 Presidential Election in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa, it was Mike who provided valuable contacts that made my task very easy to accomplish. He was more than 10 years older than me but we bonded like blood brothers. We exchanged several visits between our homes until the call of duty took me somewhere else. I will miss you Mike. Your imprint will forever remain indelible in my heart. Adieu.”

But for the likes of Najeem Jimoh, a veteran journalist and former editor of The Punch newspaper, saying goodbye to Akpan was not something palatable or what he would like to say now that the media and the nation need people like the fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE. Jimoh, who was Apkan’s classmate at the university, described his deceased colleague as a leader and a thoroughbred newsman who would be very difficult to be replaced. He said it was sad and very unfortunate that the nation and the media industry would be losing a professional like Akpan. “He was a brilliant, very forthright and mature student. He was a leader. He was accomplished journalist. He was in Daily Times where he did very well; he was in Chronicle before joining Newswatch. He is going to leave a big gap in the industry. This is the kind of people we still need in the industry to guide the coming ones. The media need a lot of guidance just like the nation needs a lot of guidance. I feel very sad apart from being classmate we were friends. It is very sad and none of us prepared for this. He was a leader in our group, Mass Communication Department 1978 set. He won the best all-round student of the Mass Communication Department of Unliag 1978 set,” Jimoh said.

It was the same journalism brilliancy that drew Ebongabasi Ekpe-Juda, a security expert, to Akpan. Ekpe-Juda met Akpan about two decades ago when he had some news materials. He was impressed by the professional way the issues were tackled that he instantly became Apkan’s friend. “He was forthright. All the stories I gave to him he did not use any of them to make money or get material gain for himself. He was always desiring to have the right thing done I will miss for that because some people when you give them stories they will go out to make money out it. Akpan never did that. He was very forthright and dedicated,” he said.

Ekpe-Juda said apart from the media industry missing Akpan, he would personally missed him because he was yet to launch the book that the late editor helped to edit. “He edited my book which I am going to launch. It is so sad. I will like to remember him as a journalist who was devoted to his duty; he liked to do his job thoroughly. He did not practice journalism to become wealthy; he practised journalism so that he could correct the ills of the society. He spent his life thinking about the ills and thinking of solutions to societal ills,” he said.

Still reeling over the sudden death of Apkan, Maureen Chigbo, publisher and editor of Realnews, said with sadness: “First it was my mother in June. Now, Mr. Apkan, a big brother to me right from Newswatch where I first met him as the editor of the magazine. His office was my first port of call in any adversity or travesty I had while in Newswatch and here in Realnews. In Realnews, he was a father figure to all of us, guiding us on the better ways to practice journalism and the best way to edit and write stories. He helped to start Realnews magazine. Unfortunately, just when we were planning to mark our second anniversary and unveil Paragon of Journalism, the book we co-edited, he passed on to the great beyond. What a life!”

Akpan took the breath of life on September 29, 1946, when he was born at Edem Anwa, Afaha Obong, in Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State,  He started his education at Saint Andrews Primary School, Ikwek Ashobong, from there he went to Saint Finbar’s Primary School, Ndukeoise 1958. He was at St. Peter’s College, Otutu Arochukwu, Abia State, before training as a teacher.  He taught at St. Mary’s Primary School, Nso Edino, in 1967. Between 1968 and 1972, he served as an assistant information officer at the ministry of information in the defunct South Eastern State. Between 1972 and 1975, he was senior correspondent at Daily Times. While still studying for his degree at the University of Lagos, Akpan was also an assistant news editor of Daily Times. He later became news editor, Nigerian Chronicle 1980-1981.

He once served as public relations officer of Dr. Pepper 1981-82 before going to the Daily Nation newspaper as features editor in 1982. Between 1982 and 1983, he was public relations manager of the UNECO Enterprises in Abak, Cross River State. In 1990, he was registrar, Ume Umanah College of Law. He later joined Newswatch as assistant editor and rose to edit the magazine in 1997.

Akpan, who studied Mass Communication in the University of Lagos, graduated in 1978 as the best student of the department and subsequently became the winner of the Daily Times of Nigeria Scholastic Excellence Award. He also won the pro-chancellor’s prize as the best all-round graduating student in the faculty of social sciences.

He left behind a widow and four children. Mfon Akpan, his first son described his father as a great father who was very close to the family. “He is someone everyone should emulate. He was thorough; he was committed; he was always optimistic and had strong belief that whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well. He was very honest and was always ready to share whatever he had no matter how big or small,” he said.

Mfon said: “I will miss his fatherly advice, his sacrificial nature; I feel very sad that I have lost a great confidant and someone I could always call upon in trying period. He was always ready to assist in whatever situation you may be. He was very religious and a devoted Catholic who served God in the best way he could.”

For the management and staff of Realnews, Akpan would not be missed for only his professional acumen and thoroughness, he would also be missed for his father-figure and the level of maturity with which he led the team. Adieu!

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