The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described the demise of the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, as a great loss, not only to the State, but to the entire Niger Delta.
This was contained in the group’s message of condolence presented during a condolence visit to the Governor and family at his country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
In the message read by the National Chairman of the group, Hon. Godknows Igali, the group described the late First Lady as a woman who lived well and served the people of Akwa Ibom State, Niger Delta, and Nigeria in general.
He equally conveyed a message of condolence from the National Leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, and assured the Governor of the group’s support throughout the challenging period and beyond.
On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Obong Victor Attah, acknowledged that it was a sad experience to lose a loved one, and prayed that God will guide and protect the Governor and his family, and give them the strength to overcome the pains.
Responding, Governor Eno, appreciated the group for the visit and commended the organisation for their exceptional work in the Niger Delta region.
“This visit underscores the love that this group has for all of us in the Niger Delta, and it will further strengthen us for higher service to our people knowing that our leaders are behind us.
“We will continue, by the grace of God, as long as God gives us strength, to be good ambassadors with the position that God, through our people, has given us, ” he said.
Similarly, other distinguished personalities and groups from various walks of life have continued to troop into the country home of the bereaved Governor to pay their condolences, following the opening of the mourning house in honour of the deceased First Lady of the state, late Pastor Patience Eno.
The series of condolence visits commenced with a visit by the first Military Administrator of the State, General Tunde Ogbeha rtd., wife, Esther, and another former Military Administrator, Col. Yakubu Bako rtd., to condole the Governor, his bereaved family and the people of Akwa Ibom State.
This was followed by a delegation of the Judiciary, including Federal High Court Judges of Akwa Ibom extraction, Industrial Court Judges and Judges in Equity, led by the State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, as well as members of the legislative arm of the State Government, led by the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, who also visited the Governor to register their condolences.
The visit by the leadership of the Christian community in the State under the auspices of Fathers of Faith for Good Governance and the Christian Leadership Advisory Council, led by the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Christian Nyong, beyond giving a spiritual underscore to the event, demonstrated great warmth and a show of solidarity by the clergy with their very own, Pastor Eno.
Kinsmen of the Governor, represented by leaders and stakeholders of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area led by the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk and political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, also made a conspicuous appearance on the first day of the First Lady’s funeral countdown, with wives of traditional rulers in the area under the auspices of Esop Ibaan Mbong, led by Akwa Obong Anwan Philomena Solomon Etuk.
They expressed the condolences of Nsit Ubium women and to show solidarity to the first daughter of the Governor and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki.
Receiving the guests, Governor Eno expressed the appreciation of the family and people of the state for the visits and enormous support from his kith and kin demonstrated in various forms since the sad incident occurred, while assuring to draw strength from the show of love from good spirited Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians to serve the people even better in the later days of his administration.
He said their prayers have gone a long way to strengthen him, his family and the entire state.
The various groups and individuals who visited offered words of encouragement and heartfelt prayers for the Governor and the immediate family for God’s help to continue showing leadership in the state despite the grief.
The Governor urged women in the state to bury all differences and unite behind the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady to further the lofty visions of his deceased wife, as a demonstration of honour to her.
PANDEF, Others Pay Tribute To Late Akwa Ibom First Lady is first published on The Whistler Newspaper