Gov Umo Eno of of Akwa Ibom
Gov Umo Eno of of Akwa Ibom has appointed his own daughter, Mrs Helen Eno-Obareki, to take over the role of First Lady following the death of his wife, Pst Patience Eno.
The governor announced this during a condolence visit to the Eno family in Uyo by Sen. Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, in Uyo, on Friday.
“It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office.
“She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare.
“I have full confidence in my daughter’s ability to preserve the values and vision of her late mother, and to sustain the projects she initiated,” he said.
Reflecting on his relationship with the deceased, Gov Eno said that he had a deep bond with his late wife.
“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 succor.
“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 said.
Responding, Mrs Tinubu acknowledged the late Mrs Eno’s support for her own national pet project, as well as her dedication to her husband’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 said.
To the governor’s daughter she said: “Helen, 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.”
Mrs Tinubu expressed her support for the governor’s daughter’s appointment, noting that it reflected practices seen in the U.S. and elsewhere.
She said that the decision was a thoughtful way to sustain her late mother’s legacy, particularly through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
Reacting earlier to insinuations about his taking a new wife during a separate condolence visit by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Gov Eno had jokingly said that he had no money to pay for a new bride price.
“I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon.
“I don’t even have the money to pay another bride price,” the governor had said.
He also had emphasised that the vacancy left by his late wife could not be filled.
Tinubu was accompanied on the condolence visit by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly.
Periscope International reports that the late Mrs Eno died over a week ago on Sept. 26th, following a brief illness.
