My Wife Led A Good Life And Left Triumphantly — Gov Eno

Governor Umo Eno, on Friday, acknowledged that the outpouring of support his family and Akwa Ibom State received during the mourning and laying to rest of his late wife, Pst Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, was a demonstration of national unity that stakeholders in the Nigerian project must strive to improve upon.

Eno, overwhelmed with emotion at the funeral for his wife of 38 years, expressed appreciation for the consolation he and his children have received from people from all walks of life who have shared in the pain of their loss as Mrs. Eno was laid to rest at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state.


Several dignitaries arrived, with others continuing to troop in as the body of Mrs. Eno arrived at a 9:45 am at the funeral ground, where the bereaved family and guests had gathered.

Among those present to pay their last respects to the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom were former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of Nigeria’s Vice President; and tributes from the Wife of the President and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Other dignitaries included former governor and acclaimed father of modern Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah; governors from Delta, Rivers, Abia, Ebonyi, and Bauchi states; former Governor Emmanuel Udom; industry chiefs; diplomats; and members of the Governors’ Wives Forum.

In his remarks, Eno told the array of dignitaries and Akwa Ibom people, “I couldn’t have imagined that all of us can come together like this, just for one person. My wife became larger in death than when she was alive. You’ve shown us so much love. We’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the Mother of the Nation (Sen. Remi Tinubu), who led all of the governors and ministers’ wives to pay us their first condolence visit. We thank all the women of this country and all the leaders in this country.

“You’ve shown us love, and that love strengthens us. If we (the bereaved family) stand here today strong, it’s because the nation has risen as one to condole with us and to offer us their shoulders. A pillar has left us, but your collective love has become our pillar; your collective support, our strength.

“Eternity will remember you for good. I love the strength of purpose. This is Nigeria. This is love. This is unity. I pray our country will rise in one accord and prove this unity by supporting the President of Nigeria as he leads us.”

To his deceased wife, he pledged, “I promise you, Kemi, this is an additional responsibility. We will work extra hard not to disappoint you, not to disappoint Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians.

Source: Vanguard

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com