The first Journalist in Cross River state to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, Edem Edem of Daily Post, has died. His wife, Mammy Edem, confirmed that her husband died on Wednesday, August18, 2021.
Edem, who hailed from Eto-Mkpe Inameti Yellow Duke House in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River state, was born on October 1, 1960.
In March this year, he became the first Journalist in the State to receive the COVID 19 AstraZenneca vaccine, shortly after being discharged from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) where he spent few weeks for an undisclosed ailment.
Speaking while receiving the jab, Edem had said “I became the first frontline journalist to take the vaccine in Calabar and there is nothing to be afraid of – people should come out and take the vaccine to become immunized.
“As a journalist, I am a frontline worker. I pursue stories about people infected with COVID-19 who are in quarantine centers, hospitals and other areas of confinement – hoping and praying that I don’t contract it myself.”
However, the Journalist, who had put in more than 25 years in the profession, became very ill again two months ago and was rushed to the UCTH for the second time over what was, this time, suspected to be kidney-related.
Unfortunately, his condition could not be managed this time around. The immediate cause of his death could not be ascertained as at press time.
While a cross section of those who spoke while bemoaning Edem’s depature, believed that he may have died of kidney related problem, others feared that the vaccines may have contributed in worsening his existing health challenges.
His colleagues in the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River Council, described the late Edem as thorough bred professional.
Speaking, the Chapel Chairmen, Eme Offiong, said “we have lost a rare gem, he was journalism personifued. Our departed colleague, Etinyin Edem Edem, lived journalism, breathed journalism and died a practicing journalist.
“Even on his sick bed, he was still churning out great reports for Daily Post. I pray God to console his family and grant them ability to bear this great loss.”
The family is yet to announce the date for his funeral but our reporter gathered that plans were underway to commit the remains of the departed Daily Post strong man to mother Earth as soon as possible.
Edem obtained a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Lagos, and a National Diploma in Mass Communication from The Polytechnic, Calabar (now Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH).
He also had a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising from the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ (Affiliate of University of Maiduguri). The departed media guru was the Financial Secretary of the NUJ, Cross River state Council.
