Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has spoken openly about the profound pain of losing his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, following her sudden passing.
Nine days after the unexpected loss of the state’s First Lady, the governor shared the deep sorrow he felt after their 38 years of marriage.
In a statement released on Friday, Governor Eno described his late wife as “everything a man could ever wish for in a virtuous woman.”
He reflected on the deep bond they shared, referring to her as his prayer partner, counsellor, and the most honest critic, always encouraging him with a smile. “I will miss her for a lifetime,” he added.
The governor’s statement, titled “We Are Perplexed But Not in Despair”, referenced the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 4:8 and expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he had received from people across the nation.
He thanked all those who had sent condolences, including President Bola Tinubu, and acknowledged the many calls, messages, and visits that had provided comfort to him and his family during this period of intense grief.
Governor Eno particularly thanked the people of Akwa Ibom for their exceptional display of unity and solidarity, even across political lines.
He expressed special appreciation to the youths of the state who suspended their planned national protests to honour his late wife. This, he said, had deeply moved his family during this time of mourning.
He assured the public that all initiatives championed by the late First Lady, including the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), would not only be sustained but also expanded.
Her passion for service would live on through these programs, and the state government would continue to operate efficiently, with a renewed focus on serving the people of Akwa Ibom, as his wife had always prayed for.
Governor Eno also commended the security agencies for maintaining peace during this solemn period and encouraged them to continue their efforts as the state approaches local government elections.
He expressed confidence that the public would continue to respect his family’s privacy as they navigated this difficult journey of loss and mourning.
He concluded by reassuring the public that burial arrangements would be announced at the appropriate time, but emphasized that they would not mourn as those without hope, drawing strength from their faith in Christ.
