Sunny Edemenang, Uyo
The wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu , has expressed deep sadness over the sudden demise of the wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, and described her as a God-fearing and peaceful woman.
This was contained in the message during the First Lady’s visit to sympathize with Governor Umo Eno, and the people of Akwa Ibom State, pointing out the very supportive role the deceased play in her pet-project, the Renewed Hope Initiative as well as support to the ARISE Agenda of Akwa Ibom State government.
The President’s wife in a commiserating tone commended Governor Eno’s resolve to maintain the office of the First Lady in the State and the choice of his daughter, 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 First Lady’s Office in the state.
In his remark, the Governor Pastor Umo Eno expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his show of love and support during this period of grief and particularly thanked the nation’s First Lady for her prayers and words of encouragement.
The Governor appreciated the motherly disposition of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for consistently and truly mothering the nation by drawing her children close.
He thanked the First Lady for the visit with a very powerful delegation, including Her Excellency’s sister, wives of other governors who all in the entourage bore testimony to her motherhood 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; 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 governors’ wives across party lines.
Others were; wives of Federal Executive Council Members, Wives of members of the National Assembly among others.
