My Wife Has Become Larger In Death Than Alive – Gov. Eno

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has described the outpour of affection from groups, individuals, friends, in-laws, associates, etc. following his wife’s demise. Her Excellency, Pst. (Mrs.) Patience Eno, is a tonic that has strengthened him and the family at the moment of grief.

These were the expressions of the Governor when he hosted the College of Permanent Secretaries, led by the Dean, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan, who were on a condolence visit at the Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area county home of the Governor.

Governor Eno acknowledged that the deceased wife, Patience, has become larger in death than when she was alive, given the tributes that accompanied her departure, and commended the Permanent Secretaries for the show of love by identifying with the family on the sad event.

He said, “On behalf of my family, I want to thank you, the Permanent Secretaries, for this visit. Honestly, the outpour of this love we received has become a tonic to keep us. My wife has become larger in death than when she was alive. We thank you.

He appreciated the college for its dedication to duty, describing it as the engine of governance without which administration will halt. He particularly appreciated it for bringing its wealth of experience to bear in the state administration.

The governor noted that twenty-two permanent secretaries had been appointed and assured of more appointments before the end of the first quarter of next year to fill the existing vacancies in ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs, and congratulated the college for producing a judge in equity.

Related: Council Boss Immortalize Late Patience Umo Eno With ICT Centre

He announced a car gift to the Permanent Secretaries, assuring that they would take delivery of the cars before the Christmas holiday and solicited their support in-service delivery and during the homegoing ceremonies in honour of his late wife, culminating in the interment on the 29th of November.

“We are eternally grateful to you for your support at work. In one year, we had twenty-two permanent secretaries, and we needed more. I’m sure probably before the end of the first quarter of next year, we are going to appoint some more to fill existing vacancies in the ministries. One of you has become a judge in equity, so the college has produced a judge.

“I’m sure very soon all of you will have brand new cars. The SSG has concluded on that. If you don’t get your cars before the Christmas holiday, hold the accountant general responsible.

“We want to thank you seriously for the work you’re doing. Without you, the engine of government will stop. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for bringing your wealth of experience to bear.

“We are the temporal people, and you’re the permanent people; we will come and go; you will remain, so it’s that experience that we rely on for guidance. I want to thank you. We trust that you will stand by us until we finally interred her on the 29th. Thank you so much, and may God bless you,” he stated.

Earlier, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan intimated to the Governor that the news of the demise of the state’s first lady was devastating to the college, hence their visit to identify with the first family in the trying moment.

He recalled that the deceased loved the Permanent Secretaries as depicted in her dealings with the college, especially the women, for which she showed deep concern towards their welfare and prayed to God to grant the family fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

On his part, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, said that the state’s administrative team came to console the first family, having been deeply touched by the sad demise of the governor’s wife.

Elder Essien assured the Governor that as the redeemer lives, his dear wife lives on and read from 2 Corinthians 1:2-4, using it as a prayer point for the Governor and the first family.