PUNCH correspondent Patrick Odey laid to rest in Cross River
The remains of Patrick Odey, The PUNCH’s Akwa Ibom correspondent, have been buried in Mbube, Cross River State. Family members, colleagues, government representatives and journalists paid tribute to the 62-year-old reporter, who was remembered for his service to journalism and his contribution to reporting Akwa Ibom State.
The remains of The PUNCH’s Akwa Ibom correspondent, Patrick Odey, were laid to rest in Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, on Saturday. Odey, who was 62, was mourned by relatives, colleagues, government representatives and members of the journalism community. He is survived by his wife, six children and grandchildren.
Emem Julius, the Cross River correspondent who represented the management of PUNCH Nigeria Limited at the funeral, delivered a condolence message from the organisation’s board and management. He described Odey as a valued member of the PUNCH family whose commitment to journalism would be remembered. Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno also described the death as a loss to Odey’s family and the state.
His message was read by his Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Essien Ndueso. Eno said Odey had contributed to telling the story of Akwa Ibom through his reporting. He expressed condolences to Odey’s family, PUNCH staff, the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Akwa Ibom council and the wider media community.
Bassey Anthony, chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Akwa Ibom, described Odey as peaceful and humble and said he promoted excellence in journalism. Anthony noted that the chapel had buried a second member in two years, following the death of Vanguard correspondent Chioma Okonna last year. Prof Opeyemi Olajide of the University of Uyo branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities described Odey as a godly man.
Rev Offiong Eyo of Assemblies of God, Afaha Oku, urged Christians to live in a manner worthy of their faith and prayed for comfort for Odey’s wife and children.
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