On September 2, 2024, Professor Rishante J. Sule of the Department of Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD) in the School of Arts and Sciences presented to President DeWayne Frazier a book written in honor of the late Professor Idorendyin Udoesen Akpan. The book presentation, which took place in the president's office, also had senior management staff in attendance.
Prof. Rishante said the processes that culminated in compiling and publishing the book began some years ago. According to him, the book “Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations in the Digital Age in Nigeria" was an initiative of the late communication scholar, Prof. Akpan. He said some years ago, Prof. Akpan authored a call for papers from multi-disciplinary authorities in the professional and academic fields to publish a scholarly book that will bridge the gap between the analog era and the modern digital age of mass media.
Professor Rishante mourned the unfortunate and untimely death of Professor Akpan, before his pet project was realized, but felt satisfied to have fulfilled the desire and aspiration of the late communications scholar. He expressed gratitude to the American University of Nigeria (AUN) for naming the Multimedia Studio in the library after the late Dean of SAS while revealing that he dedicated the book's intellectual property rights to his estate in order to further immortalize his name.
Prof. Rishante said, "We deemed it appropriate to honor him by dedicating the book to him for his hard work, commitment, and passion for quality education and meritorious service to AUN. He was very passionate, dedicated, committed, and diligent throughout the process of publishing this book."
AUN President Dr. DeWayne Frazier, in his response said that he wished he had met the late Akpan because of all the beautiful and nice things he had heard about him.
“I wish I knew him in person because of all the kind words I have heard of him and the beautiful contributions he made to AUN. I feel I understand his personality because of how professional, articulate, and well-cultured his widow and children are.
"I am sure he must be smiling from above, and I am proud of his family and colleagues at AUN for honoring him with this book," he concluded.
During his remarks, the interim registrar, Mr. Daniel C. Okereke, narrated how he had met the late Prof. Akpan and how fate had coincidentally reunited them at different professional parlors. He further described him as a beautiful soul.
“If you had met him, he would have been one of your best friends because Prof. Akpan was such a gentleman, a very organised individual; he loved music and the arts. He was such a beautiful soul, well-groomed," he noted.
The Interim Registrar commended the authors' effort, saying, “This is what universities do; universities write books." He also urged the wide circulation of the book and its gifting as souvenirs to AUN's special guests.
Mrs. Emilienne Akpan, the director of the AUN Writing Center and the late Prof. Akpan's widow, thanked her late husband's colleagues and AUN management for all the nice words, honor, and respect for her husband. She said AUN is more than just a workplace for them.
“I’m so grateful for your kind gestures towards my late husband and my family. Seeing this work published is a fulfillment of his dream. It is a great privilege and honour for our family, and it means a lot to Professor Akpan's family. AUN is not just a workplace; for me, it is a family. Thank you so much," she stated.
Also present at the book presentation were the Interim Provost, Dr. Adewale James, VP of Fnance Mrs. Nnenna Mosugu, chair of the CMD program Dr. Ikechukwu Ekeh, and Dr. Patrick Fay.
Prof. Akpan, who passed away a decade ago, joined AUN in 2009 as an Associate Professor of Public Relations and Advertising. Until his demise, he served as Chair of the CMD program, member of the Senate Curriculum Committee, and Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. Prof. Akpan was born on December 21, 1968, in Obotme, Akwa Ibom State.
Reported by John Abah