It was a carnival of some sort as dignitaries including The former President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio paid their last respect to the late A’Ibom First Lady Patience Umo Eno at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Friday the 29th day of November, the funeral service, was conducted by The All Nations Christian Ministry International. Also in attendance were the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; all former Governors of Akwa Ibom State, including the immediate past Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Patience Jonathan the wife of former President Jonathan.
Serving Governors under the auspices of Nigeria Governors’ Forum turned up in their numbers to honour the departed and condole with their colleague with an array of dignitaries from across the country.
In her oration at the funeral, Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu represented by the wife of The Vice President described the deceased as a woman of faith who was courageous, she called on her children to sustain her legacy.
“The first time I met her, I can testify the kind of person late Pastor Patience Umo Eno was. She was a woman of courage and faith, a caring woman. Your Excellency, for sure, not only you, we are all going to miss her. Who are we to question God? There is time for everything.
“Our hope and prayers are with you, the family and our dear excellencies, who are the state coordinators for the Renewed Hope Initiative. Truly, she deserves to be celebrated and it gladdens my heart at the colourful way she was celebrated. May God comfort you and the family.” She said.
Governor Umo Eno, the bereaved expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the support his family has received during their period of grief, particularly acknowledging the encouragement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who apart from paying him a condolence visit continually sent messages to strengthen his family.
Governor Eno also thanked the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, for leading a delegation of Nigerian women to the funeral service, a gesture he cherishes for its soothing impact on him and his family.
“That we are strong today is because the Nation has risen as one to console us, to give us your shoulders to lean on, we thank you”. The Governor said.
Several condolence messages poured in from sympathisers extolling the virtues of the departed which includes patience, love, hard work, and intelligence.
The funeral was marked by prayers, tributes, and solemn reflections of the departed.
