How Anietie Akpan Saved My Life - Orok Duke Eulogises Veteran Journalist
The Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, has revealed how the fearless pen of late veteran journalist, Anietie Ben Akpan, popularly known as Roro Chief, saved his life during the dark days of military rule.
Speaking on Tuesday in Calabar at a night of tribute organized in honour of the late Guardian Newspaper correspondent, Duke said without the courageous reportage of journalists like Anietie Akpan, many pro-democracy activists would have been quietly eliminated during the Abacha dictatorship and the June 12 struggle.
According to Duke, relentless media advocacy and the constant spotlight on detained activists kept them alive, as the Abacha military era dreaded public outrage.
He recounted how he was arrested and detained for months during the June 12 saga, revealing that it was the daily reports about him by Anietie that kept the public consciousness alive that there were still in detention.
"During the turbulent 90s, during Abacha and June 12, it was journalists like Anietie who kept us alive. Their reports kept us in public consciousness. If they didn't write, we would have been forgotten and killed".
"Anietie has done his bit. He saved my life and the lives of many others with his pen. Today we celebrate a life of impact," Duke recounted emotionally.
Duke, who described Roro Chief as a lifelong ally in the struggle for democratic freedom, lamented the abandonment of veteran journalists who risked their lives for Nigeria's democracy, noting that many die without financial security or proper care after retirement.
He disclosed that even while the late Akpan battled failing health, he personally tried to assist with his medical bills, as a way of support and however donation One Million Naira (N1m) towards the funeral arrangements, with a plea that the bulk of the money be given directly to Akpan's family and dependents..
