The death of the Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka William, has left the state’s political establishment mourning, while making him the second serving commissioner to die under Governor Bassey Otu’s administration.
William reportedly died on Saturday evening at a hospital in Abuja, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The news of his death was disclosed by his brother, Nkang William, who described the development as sudden and difficult for the family to accept.
The commissioner’s death comes about a year after the state also lost its Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, who died in 2025.
William was saddled with overseeing the state’s power and renewable energy portfolio, an area central to efforts to improve electricity access and promote alternative energy solutions across Cross River.
His passing is therefore expected to create a vacancy within the state executive council as the government mourns the loss of another member of its cabinet.
In a tribute to his late brother, Nkang described William as a man who touched lives, shared knowledge and built enduring relationships during his lifetime.
He said the family would focus on celebrating the life he lived despite the pain of his sudden death.
