It was an atmosphere of emotions, in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium local government area, as several dignitaries joined the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Dr. Umo Eno, in the Home Going ceremony of the departed State’s First Lady, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The event attracted eminent dignitaries from within and outside the State, including top government functionaries, captains of industry, elder statesmen across party lines, and women leaders, including the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and his wife, Hajia Nana Shettima.
Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno who paid tribute to his late wife and First Lady of the state, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, described her as a strong pillar who will always remain alive in his life.
The governor said he would never describe his wife in past tense as her memories remain fresh and warm in his heart.
“I will never describe you in past tense. You will always be my “Oluwakemi”, alive in my mind, fresh in my thoughts and warm in my heart,” Eno stated.
The Governor, who appreciated President Ahmed Tinubu and the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said, “we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, starting from the President of the Federal state Republic of Nigeria.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love by our mother, and mother of the nation, Distinguished Senator Remi Tinubu who led all of the women, and all of the Governors’ wives, all of the Ministers’ wives to pay us the first condolence visit”.
Appreciating that the country had united to celebrate his departed wife, Governor Eno urged everyone to come together with the same strength to support President Tinubu to succeed.
“As he leads us, we must stop finding fault, but look for a way to support him so that he can lead us out of where we are now.”
The Governor, assuring of his focus on dividends of democracy to his people, promised to, “double up our effort in living up to the legacy of service that my wife stood for.”
“I met my wife forty years ago, we courted for two years and we have been married for thirty eight years. I doubt if anyone can ever fill her space.
“You were a mother, and I will never refer to you as in past tense. You will always be my Oluwa Kemi.
“We love and celebrate you. You were a wonderful woman. You were my best critic, you were my best Cheer leader. You had a way of telling me the truth even when I pretend not to listen. You will still tell me, “My dear UB, I think you are wrong, you need to apologize.
“Kemi, you were a wonderful woman and I know without a shadow of doubt that you are in the bosom of Abraham.
“May you look down from the balcony of heaven and pray for us, and protect and guide your children as we strive to live on the ideals that you have laid,” the Governor concluded.
In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who recounted the laudable legacies of the departed Akwa Ibom First Lady and her impact and contributions to humanity, urged the family to emulate and sustain her legacies.
“I can testify that she was a courageous woman, a caring woman and Your Excellency, you are not the only one who miss her, we are all going to miss her.”
Speaking on the theme, ‘When Death of Loved Ones Occurs’, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly, Port Harcourt, said, “Whenever a loved one dies, our world strains because of what we think of the person”, and stated further that anyone whose life impacted positively on others, does not necessarily die.
Drawing references from, 1 Thess: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family and all to emulate the legacies of the late Akwa Ibom First Lady.
Highlights of the ceremony was the reading of the biography of the State’s First Lady by her daughter and coordinator of the office of the State First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki, while the son, Pastor Ebong Eno, presented the testimony on behalf of the family.
The funeral service was also attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin,
The acting national Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagun, led the the PDP family to the event, while the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, Governor of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, as well as former Akwa Ibom Governors, Udom Emmanuel and Victor Attah.
Also in attendance were the State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, the State Chief Judge, and other senior judiciary officers from the State, including, Justice Inyang Okoro, Justice Ntong Ntong, Justice Okon Abang and Justice Ita Mbaba, among others.
