by crossriverwatch admin
Nigerian Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba SAN, senior members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists led by Cross River State Council Vice Chairman Oka Ibor, and Secretary Gill Nsa, Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe were among the personalities and professional unions that paid their last respect to late Jude Osang Okwe in his country home, Okweriseng, Ubang Community in Obudu Local government Area of Cross River State.
Jude Okwe died on the 9th, July 2014 in his Calabar home after a long but steady protracted illness that took him to Indraprastha Apolla Hospital, India in late 2013.
His country home was full of sadness and tears as friends, family, church members, Unionists as well as politicians came in their numbers to pay him their last respect.
Late Jude Okwe was a journalist for 24 straight years with meritorious awards of Investigative Journalism, Best Reporter and Objective Story Teller.
In his condolence message, the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba represented by his Special Adviser Media, Sam Arikpo, described late Jude as a representative of possibilities of an era who demonstrated the responsibilities of guiding the society on the part of justice, equity and posterity with his profession, irrespective of whose power or friendship was involved.
“In a milieu and clime where sycophancy and opportunism are worn as badges of honor, Jude spoke truth to power at all times.
“He was bold, fearless and deep and neither power nor friendship would color his objectivity.
“To him, facts were sacred and they were to be reported as such.” the message quoted in part.
On his part, the Commissioner for Youths and Sport Development, Mr Patrick Ugbe said Jude was a distinguished and reputable journalist whose contribution greatly endeared him to, not only his home state but the entire Nation.
“It is obvious that a rare and renowned Journalist has been lost”.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in its condolence letter signed by Cross River State Council Chairman, Ndoma Akpet said;
“His death struck us like a thunderbolt because we never expected it having striven hard to ensure that he get medical attention abroad when his health dipped. He died young but his short life was full of purpose.”
Others who sent their personal condolences were the Management of Thisday Newspapers, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ukalu Development Union, Ugbang Family Union and Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, RCM Obudu, among others.
Jude’s remains were interred at 11:47am at his compound in Okweriseng, Obudu.
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