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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

PUNCH Akwa Ibom correspondent Patrick Odey dies at 63

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Patrick Odey, a 63-year-old correspondent for The PUNCH in Akwa Ibom, died in the early hours of September 1, 2026, his son confirmed.
  • Odey worked in journalism for more than 22 years and previously wrote for Post Express, Daily Champion and Daily Trust.
  • Colleagues described him as a calm, hardworking and committed journalist, with funeral events scheduled for October 2 and 3 in Ogoja, Cross River State.

Patrick Odey, The PUNCH correspondent in Akwa Ibom, has died at the age of 63. His son, Benedict Odey, said he died in the early hours of Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

a great loss to the media industry

— Media colleaguesColleagues described Odey’s death and its impact on journalism.

Odey’s remains were deposited at a morgue in his hometown in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State. The family scheduled a night of songs and tributes for October 2, followed by his burial and interment on October 3.

very sad and painful

— Olufowobi OlusesanThe PUNCH regional editor expressed shock at Odey’s death.

Born on October 1, 1963, Odey studied English and Literary Studies at the University of Port Harcourt and later earned a postgraduate diploma in mass communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. He spent more than 22 years in the media industry and worked for Post Express, Daily Champion and Daily Trust before joining The PUNCH.

a calm, humble and hardworking colleague

— Eyo CharlesThe Daily Trust journalist recalled working with Odey in Akwa Ibom.

Tributes came from media colleagues in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and elsewhere in Nigeria. The PUNCH regional editor Olufowobi Olusesan called his death “very sad and painful”. Colleagues remembered Odey as open-minded, easy-going, calm, humble and hardworking. Daily Trust journalist Eyo Charles said, “He was my counterpart in Akwa Ibom as a correspondent for Daily Trust before joining The PUNCH. He was such a calm, humble and hardworking colleague. May his soul rest in peace.”

He was my counterpart in Akwa Ibom as a correspondent for Daily Trust before joining The PUNCH. He was such a calm, humble and hardworking colleague. May his soul rest in peace.

— Eyo CharlesCharles paid tribute to Odey’s work and character.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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