First Lady: Akwa Ibom Gov picks daughter to replace deceased wife
Following the death of his wife, Patience Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as the acting First Lady of the state.
The announcement of the acting First Lady was made during a condolence visit to his family by the Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, in Uyo.
Explaining the decision to transfer the First Lady’s duties to his daughter, Eno, a Pastor and his late wife, justified the decision, explaining that “It is not an easy task ahead”.
According to him, “To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the office duties.
“She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare”.
He expressed confidence in his daughter’s ability to preserve the values and vision of her late mother, pledging to sustain the projects initiated through the First Lady’s Office.
Reflecting on his deep bond with his late wife, Eno said, “I married her when she was 19, and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succour.
“We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life”, he added.
In her remarks, Mrs Tinubu expressed support over Obareki’s appointment, noting that it reflects practices seen in the United States, describing it as a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy, particularly through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
The president’s wife, who was accompanied on the condolence visit by Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, as well as wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly, recounted an encounter when the deceased introduced Helen to her said “Your mom didn’t bring you to me for nothing, and it’s a blessing that your mom’s colleagues and the Vice President’s wife are here to support you.
“I know you well, and I believe God will guide you. You will accomplish even more than your mother, and He will grant you good health.”
She acknowledged the deceased support for her own national pet project and her dedication to President Tinubu’s ARISE governance agenda.
“Politics aside, we are all Nigerians and one of the things I thank God for is the opportunity to show love and care when we meet people.
I want to thank God for Patience’s life; though short, she completed her race. May God comfort you, your family, and your children. I will always be here for you,” she assured the governor.
