Like it is with all mortals, the journey of every professional begins and ends in a day: a first day at work or the last day at work.
In journalism, first days are not just days a person walks into the newsroom to field a story, after going through rigorous recruitment process. First days at work are actually days a person’s byline appears on the newspaper.
Similarly, last days are days people have their last bylines running with stories on the pages of newspapers.
Whether by retirement at required age, resignation, or eternal transition to glory, when last their bylines appear on the paper, or their voices are heard on the radio, mark the end of their career in the news industry.
Comrade Godwin Benson, a caring husband and father; an academic, professional journalist, and a friend to many, got his last byline published at age 52. His wasn’t through a formal retirement or resignation. He passed on to the great beyond.
A statement by the family indicates that the late scholar passed on to eternal glory at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, following a brief illness.
Signed by the son, Mr. Utibe-Abasi Godwin Benson, alongside the funeral Central Planning Committee, the release noted that Late Dr. Benson passed on while in active service as the news editor The Pioneer group of newspapers, published by the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation.
It adds that Benson served as a Secretary of Ukanafun Local Government Council, and Special Assistant on Media and Strategy to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Affairs, at various times. He was also the Secretary of Ukanafun Elders Forum, up until his demise.
The deceased, the statement added, attended Central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, for his primary school education; Western Annang Secondary Commercial School (WASCO), both in Ukanafun LGA, and the former Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, Abia State, for secondary education.
He trained at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, for his National Diploma; and the University of Uyo for his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees, before proceeding to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D, in Communication Studies in July 2025.
Funeral arrangements for his final rites of passage will commence on Monday, 20 April 2026 with “Opening of Mourning House and Condolence Visits by Individuals and Groups,” followed by “An Evening of Tributes” in his honour at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Off IBB Avenue, Uyo on Thursday, 23 April, 2026 at 4pm, the release said.
The remains of the deceased will be interred at his hometown, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, after a funeral service to be conducted by Qua Iboe Church, Ukanafun Area Conference at Western Annang Secondary Commercial School, (WASCO), Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, on Saturday, 25 April, 2026 at 10 am.
The events shall be rounded off with a memorial and thanksgiving service at Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, on Sunday 26 April, 2026 at 10am, the statement informed.
Dr Benson is survived by a wife, three children, an aged mother, siblings, relatives, colleagues and friends, among whom are:
* Mrs. Victoria Godwin Benson – Wife
* Mr. Utibe-Abasi Godwin Benson – Son
* Miss Edidiong-Abasi Godwin Benson – Daughter
* Miss Aniebiet-Abasi Godwin Benson – Daughter
The statement invites friends, well- wishers and the public to attend the events.
