By Emmanuel Uffot
The remains of former Akwa Ibom State Liason Officer at the State Liason office in Lagos and Director of Technical Services in the Ministry of Information and Strategy Elder Joseph Etem who died last July, will be buried on Friday September 16, 2022.
According to the burial arrangement released by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Ini Ememobong in collaboration with the deceased family, Mourning House was opened at the deceased residence at Plot 73A Akpasima Housing Estate, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo on Sunday September 11, 2022, while visitation by individuals, Professional Bodies, Groups/ Associations and well- wishers began on Monday September 12 and ended on Thursday September 15, 2022.
Funeral Service for the deceased to be conducted by Methodist Church of Nigeria, Wesley Cathedral, Nsikak Edouk Avenue, Uyo will take place at the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Press Centre, Information Drive off IBB Road, Uyo by 10am.
The funeral service will commence after the lying in state at the Press Centre, after which he will be buried at his residence at Akpasima Estate.
The Commissioner said the Management and entire staff of the Ministry of Information is deeply touched by the sudden demise of Elder Etem and feel the emptiness within the Ministry caused by his death. Ememobong reiterated that the deceased who until his death was the Director of Technical Services was a very close Director to him who was ready to take up any assigned task even at unfamiliar terrain, lamented that the vacuum created by his death will be very difficult to fill as his presence was always very unmistakably felt at staff meetings, especially as he was noted for always volunteering to take opening prayers at management meetings.
According to a notification issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Information Ministry Mr James Edet, all staff of the Ministry are required to take note of the obsequious of late Elder Joseph Etem and attend the funeral to accord their deceased colleague the last respect as well as bid him a final farewell.
Some staff of the Ministry and professional colleagues have extoled the good amiable character of the late Director of Technical Services which they say would be difficult to be erase from their memory.
Idris Mabadeje, a senior staff in the Ministry said he will miss late Etem who was a very amiable person to work with. Similarly, Uwem Ben, Information Officer who was recently posted to the Ministry said his death was so sudden and shocking to him and many staff while Ms Inem Udofia said late Mr Etem was a very amiable and simple person who operated an open-door policy.
Similarly, Israel Umoh publisher of Straightnews online/ print Newspaper said Etem’s death was hard to believe, difficult to explain and painful to forget. He said he was a valued member of his Striaghtnews platform and a dependable ally in the profession. For Umoh, late Etem was asset who will be missed both by staff and professional colleague.
It is instructive to note that the 57 year old late Etem, who was a pioneer Communication Arts Graduate from the then University of Cross River State before it metamorphosed into the University of Uyo, was said to be due for retirement next year.
