Omo, na sad news wey dem dey yarn this morning for Delta State! Our guy, Mr. Matthew Ochei, wey be The Punch correspondent, don waka go meet his Maker for early hours of January 6, 2026, after e don battle brief illness, age 43. Na about 2:00 a.m. e gree answer the final call, and now, e don leave behind im wife, Madam Uche, and three pikin dem. E body don dey for morgue for im village, Ukunzu.

The news hit everybody like thunder; journalists wey dey Delta and beyond don dey mourn since then. Ochei no just be reporter, him be bold and principled man, wey always dey fight for wetin be right. Na work like im own wey dey remind us say journalism fit still shine even when things dey hard. E colleagues dey talk say, ‘Ochei na better person, e sabi wetin e dey do’.

When dem visit im family for Asaba, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, wey be the chairman of NUJ Delta State Council, carry mouth give matter. E talk say, ‘We fit come to console you, but na only God fit truly provide comfort for this kind wahala’. Na true talk be dat o! Ochei na vibrant voice wey dey shout when journalism dey slack. ‘You go miss am, but we go still dey support you people’, Oyowe promise dem family.

The chairman of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, too don talk how Ochei na titan for the profession. E talk say, ‘Matthew na my vice-chairman, e dey bring light to we wey dey work together. We pray make am recover, but na God sabi why things dey happen like this.’

Madam Faith Iyama, wey represent the family, don thank all the journalists wey show love during this time. She dey appeal make NUJ no go abandon dem. Wey we fit do without our brother? Na big loss o!

The governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, don drop im own condolence too. E talk say Ochei na dedicated and courageous journalist wey dey help the community. E express im own sorrow and remind everyone say the loss na serious setback for journalism wey dey Delta State. ‘This na painful moment for us, wey get journalists wey dey carry truth for head’, e conclude.

As dem dey mourn Ochei, dem dey also raise question about the welfare of journalists for Naija. Many dey operate under serious pressure, e no dey easy. Ochei na perfect example of wetin it mean to be a committed professional; him voice dey echo even as we dey miss am so much. May his soul rest in peace, abeg.