Veteran Journalist Patrick Odey of The PUNCH Dies at 63

Patrick Odey, a correspondent for The PUNCH, died at the age of 63 in the early hours of Tuesday, September 1, 2026. His son, Benedict Odey, confirmed the news in a telephone interview.

Odey's remains have been deposited at a morgue in his hometown, Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State. The family has organized a night of songs and tributes for Friday, October 2, 2026, with burial scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Born on October 1, 1963, Odey was married to Mrs. Alice Odey and had six children. He attended Ntol Comprehensive Secondary School and earned a BA in English and Literary Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

Odey had over 22 years of experience in journalism, having worked with Post Express, Daily Champion, and Daily Trust before joining The PUNCH. His passing elicited tributes from colleagues, who described him as a significant loss to the media industry.