Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Condoles Gov Eno, Family Over Wife’s Death
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of the Akwa Ibom State First Lady, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, whom she said was a God-fearing and peaceful woman.
In her message during a visit to condole with the Governor, the first family, and the people of Akwa Ibom State, she noted that the deceased was very supportive of her pet project at the national level and has also supported her husband in his quest to implement the ARISE agenda.
The President’s wife commended Governor Eno’s resolve to maintain the office of the First Lady in the State and his choice of Helen Eno Obareki to man the office, assuring the Governor’s daughter and the entire government of Akwa Ibom State of her commitment to partner with and support the lofty visions of the State First Lady’s office.
In his remark, the Akwa Ibom State Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his show of love and support during this period of grief and particularly to the nation’s First Lady for her prayers and words of encouragement.
He appreciated Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her motherly disposition, saying, “You have been consistently and truly a mother of the nation, drawing all your children close. So I want to thank you. This visit and this very big delegation, with Her Excellency’s sister, wives of governors and all of the entourage that you have brought further confirm that you are the mother of the nation.”
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He disclosed that his first daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, will serve as coordinator of Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a pet project of his deceased wife, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno’s, as well as other women’s activities as a way of immortalising his late wife.
Gov. Eno assured that his administration will continue to sustain and broaden the visions and programs initiated through the Office of the First Lady, as he affirmed his confidence in Mrs. Helen Obareki to assume the role and sustain the legacy of her dear mother.
In his tribute, Governor Eno described the departed First Lady as a perfect example of the biblical virtuous woman, his closest prayer partner, cheerleader, as well as his best critic.
He acknowledged that her death was an irreplaceable loss, recalling her support and contributions to the success of the last gubernatorial election, especially the coinage of the “Golden Boy” catchphrase, which changed the tide of attacks on his person.
In his words, “I got married to my wife when she was 19 and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because God gave her to me as a comforter, someone who gave me succour. We experienced a lot, going through thick and thin, victories and defeats. We are perplexed because we have lost someone irreplaceable.
“She was my biblical description of a virtuous woman in all ramifications. She was my cheerleader and also my best critic. So for me, the mourning is a lifetime thing,” he said.
He also appreciated condolences from other Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites as he restated his resolve to continue working with President Tinubu, irrespective of party differences.
High points of the visit were prayers by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wife of Bayelsa State Governor, Gloria Diri, and the signing of the condolence register by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
