Nigeria’s First Lady, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of the Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, who she said was a God-fearing and peaceful woman.
In her message during a visit to condole with the Governor, the First Family, and the people of Akwa Ibom State, she noted that the deceased was very supportive of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative, and also supported her husband in his quest to implement the ARISE agenda.
The President’s wife commended Governor Eno’s resolve to maintain the office of the First Lady in the State and his choice of Helen Eno Obareki to coordinate the office, assuring the Governor’s daughter and the entire government of Akwa Ibom State of her commitment to partner and support the lofty visions of the State First Lady’s office.
In his remark, the Akwa Ibom State Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his show of love and support during this period of grief and particularly, to the nation’s First Lady for her prayers and words of encouragement.
He appreciated Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her motherly disposition saying, “You have been consistently, and truly a mother of the nation, drawing all your children close. So I want to thank you. This visit and this very big delegation, with Her Excellency’s sister, wives of governors and all of the entourage that you have brought further confirms that you are the mother of the nation.”
He disclosed that his first daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, will serve as coordinator of Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a pet project of his deceased wife, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno’s; as well as other women activities as a way of immortalizing his late wife.
Gov Eno assured that his administration will continue to sustain and broaden the visions and programmes initiated through the Office of the First Lady, as he affirmed his confidence in Mrs. Helen Obareki, to assume the role and sustain the legacy of her dear mother.
In his tribute, Governor Eno described the departed First Lady as a perfect example of the biblical virtuous woman, his closest prayer partner, cheer leader, as well as his best critic.
He acknowledged that her death was an irreplaceable loss, recalling her support and contributions to the success of the last gubernatorial election, especially the coinage of the “Golden Boy” catch phrase which changed the tide of attacks on his person.
In his words, “I got married to my wife when she was 19 and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because God gave her to me as a comforter, someone who gave me succour. We experienced a lot, gone through thick and thin, victories and defeats. We are perplexed because we have lost someone that is irreplaceable.
“She was my biblical description of a virtuous woman in all ramifications. She was my cheer leader and also my best critic. So for me, the mourning is a lifetime thing,” he said.
He also appreciated condolences from other Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites, as he restated his resolve to continue working with President Tinubu, irrespective of party differences.
Among those who accompanied the President’s wife on the visit were; wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of Lagos State Governor, (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs. Gloria Diri, and other wives of State Governors across party lines.
Also in the delegation were; wives of Federal Executive Council Members, Wives of members of the National Assembly among others.
On hand to receive the team with the Governor were; the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, Chief Judge of the State, His Lordship, Justice Ekaette Obot, DG of Campaign Organization, Ambassador Asam Asam, Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, wife of the Former Military Governor, Funmi Idongesit-Nkanga, members of the State Executive Council, and legislators among others.
