The Governor of Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno, has named his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno-Obareki, as the acting First Lady of the state following the passing of his wife, Patience Umo-Eno.
This decision has been met with praise from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who lauded the move as a way to honour the late Patience’s legacy.
Senator Tinubu visited the Eno family in Uyo to offer her condolences and show support for Helen’s new role.
Drawing comparisons to similar practices abroad, she emphasized that the appointment is a thoughtful gesture to continue Patience Eno’s charitable efforts, particularly through her initiative, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
Accompanied by Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, and several wives of state governors and National Assembly leaders, Senator Tinubu expressed her confidence in Eno-Obareki’s ability to carry on her late mother’s work.
Eno, reflecting on his late wife’s life, shared their journey together, recalling how they married when she was 19 and he was 22.
“I married her when she was 19 and I was 22. I called her ‘Oluwakemi’ because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succor.
“We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life,” he said.
The governor emphasized the importance of maintaining the First Lady’s office and continuing the projects his late wife had started.
Governor Eno then Akwa Ibomintroduced his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno-Obareki as the state’s acting First Lady, stating, “It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office.
“She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare.”
