Mike Akpan, the pioneer Editor-in-Chief of Realnews, an online investigative general interest weekly magazine published in Lagos, Nigeria, has died.
Akpan, who is also a fellow of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, died at the Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State, where he was on admission for a few days before he died on September 30.
The sad news of his death was broken to Realnews magazine by Mfon Akpan, his first son, who said family members were still meeting as at October 1 to take decisions on the arrangements for his burial, which would be made public soon.
The news of Akpan’s death cast a gloom among the management and staff of Realnews magazine who were devastated by the death of their editor-in-chief.
Maureen Chigbo, Publisher/Editor of Realnews Magazine, who received the sad news through the telephone, tearfully mourned the loss of Akpan, whom she described as a colossus and a rock for the young online magazine where he worked so hard to see it grow.
Chigbo said: “I am shocked. Today, is one of the worst days of my life. I still can’t believe the story. It’s a nightmare I wish to wake up from and know it’s over. But alas death has shown me again in a couple of months its bitter sting.
“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 the book we co-edited, he passed on to the great beyond. What a life!”
According to Chigbo, Akpan ran a good race as far as journalism profession is concerned. She said: “He saw it all as a journalist — the good, the ugly and the bad” side of the profession. He weathered it manly and stoically before taking his bow from the mother earth. He was a fervent believer in justice, equity and fairness for all. His total devotion and dedication to duty is to be emulated by everybody in the profession especially young reporters. He believed in excellence in journalism and he pursued it to the end until ill-health overwhelmed him. May his soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord. Amen. Akpan was a Catholic Christian and belonged to the St. Anthony of Padua’s Association. He would always bring the St. Anthony bread for me to give my mum when she was sick. This is just to show you how caring and religious he was.”
Akpan, who worked for more than 40 years as a journalist, brought his years of experience to pen a book entitled: “Godswill Akpabio: Champion of Free Education in Akwa Ibom.” He became a Contributing Editor of Newswatch. He joined the Newswatch team in 1990 as an Assistant Editor and moved up the ranks to become editor of the magazine in 1997. In 2001, he left Newswatch to co-found Green Grass Heritage, a non-governmental organisation on the environment. He was Editor-in-Chief of Green Heritage, a magazine published by the NGO. He, however, returned to Newswatch in 2005 as Editorial Consultant.
Born on September 29, 1946 at Edem Anwa, Afaha Obong, in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Akpan studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, where he graduated in 1978 as the best student of the Department of Mass Communication 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. Before joining Newswatch, Akpan, at various times, worked with the Daily Times, The Nigerian Observer and the Nigerian Chronicle newspapers. He is survived by Maria Mike, his widow, and four children, namely: Mfon, Ekemini, Uduakabasi and Idongesit.
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