It was a moment of stirring tributes as Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno laid his late wife and First Lady of the state, Pastor (Mrs.), Patience Umo Eno to rest on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The governor, in his speech during the funeral which was held at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit-Ubuim LGA of the state, said he would never describe his late wife in the past tense as her memories remain fresh in his thoughts and warm in his heart.
The funeral service was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimna, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, among others.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana and a host of other dignitaries.
In a moving tribute, Gov Eno described the late First Lady as his anchor.
“You were my anchor, the one who could tell me what was right and what was wrong. With your death part of me is gone, but I will cherish the memories we shared forever.
“Today, as we bid you farewell, the whole world is here, celebrating your memories, and as I look at our children and grandchildren, I take consolation in the fact that the journey that began 40 years ago, in church, has been a journey of growth and immeasurable blessings and we will be fine
READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom Commissioner Suspends Principal Over Poor Boarding School Feeding
“I will never describe you in past tense. You will always be my “Oluwakemi”, alive in my mind, fresh in my thoughts and warm in my heart,” Eno stated.
On his part, Vice President Kashim Shettima in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima described the late First Lady Eno as a wonderful woman who lived a life of service to God and humanity in pastoral care, just like her husband.
Speaking during her funeral ceremony in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium local government area of Akwa Ibom State, the Vice President said the invaluable contributions of the late Mrs. Eno to society and her exemplary role as a silent yet profound leader in Nigeria will be an inspiration for generations.
He said, “We are here to celebrate life, the life of an Amazon who has contributed immensely and tremendously to the peace, stability, and progress of Akwa Ibom State, the South-South region, and the nation as a whole. She was a pillar of support to her husband, the family, and we are all going to surely miss her.”
READ ALSO: Jonathan, Shettima, Governors Honor Late Akwa Ibom First Lady
In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who recalled the departed Akwa Ibom First Lady’s laudable contributions to humanity, urged the family to emulate her legacies.
Earlier in his homily, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly in Port Harcourt, who spoke on the topic, ‘When Death of Love Ones Occurs’, said,”Whenever a loved one dies, our world strains because of what we think of the person”, adding that anyone who made a difference in life does not die.
Drawing references from, 1 Thess: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family of the late First Lady to emulate the good legacies of their mother.
