Governor Umo Eno on Friday acknowledged that the outpouring of support his family and Akwa Ibom State received during the mourning and laying to rest of his late wife, Pst Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, was a demonstration of national unity that stakeholders in the Nigerian project must strive to improve upon.
Eno, overwhelmed with emotion at the funeral for his wife of 38 years, expressed appreciation for the consolation he and his children have received from people from all walks of life who have shared in the pain of their loss as Mrs. Eno was laid to rest at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state.
Several dignitaries arrived, with others continuing to troop in as the body of Mrs. Eno arrived at a quarter to 10 a.m. at the funeral ground, where the bereaved family and guests had gathered.
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Among those present to pay their last respects to the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom were former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of Nigeria’s Vice President; and tributes from the Wife of the President and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Other dignitaries included former governor and acclaimed father of modern Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah; governors from Delta, Rivers, Abia, Ebonyi, and Bauchi states; former Governor Emmanuel Udom; industry chiefs; diplomats; and members of the Governors’ Wives Forum.
In his remarks, Eno told the array of dignitaries and Akwa Ibom people, “I couldn’t have imagined that if all of us can come together like this, just for one person. My wife became larger in death than when she was alive. You’ve shown us so much love.
“We’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the Mother of the Nation (Sen. Remi Tinubu), who led all of the governors and ministers’ wives to pay us their first condolence visit. We thank all the women of this country and all the leaders in this country.
“You’ve shown us love, and that love strengthens us. If we (the bereaved family) stand here today strong, it’s because the nation has risen as one to condole with us and to offer us their shoulders. A pillar has left us, but your collective love has become our pillar; your collective support, our strength.
“Eternity will remember you for good. I love the strength of purpose. This is Nigeria. This is love. This is unity. I pray our country will rise in one accord and prove this unity by supporting the President of Nigeria as he leads us.”
To his deceased wife, he pledged, “I promise you, Kemi, this is an additional responsibility. We will work extra hard not to disappoint you, not to disappoint Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians.
“We will continue to double our efforts to push the frontiers of development in Akwa Ibom forward, being humble, maintaining relationships, and living up to the legacy you stood for.”
He recounted, “I met my wife 40 years ago; we courted for two years and have been married for 38 years. I doubt anyone can ever fill her space. She is a mother. We love you; you are a wonderful woman.
“You were my best critic, my cheerleader. You had a way of telling me the truth. Even when I pretended I didn’t hear, you still told me, ‘UB’ (Umo Bassey), I think you’re wrong. You need to apologize. Many times afterward, I would make up for it.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, I know you’re resting in the bosom of Abraham until I meet you to part no more as we strive to live by the ideals you’ve laid down.”
Recalling the last moments with his wife, Eno continued, “My wife led a good life and left triumphantly. The night before she departed, she woke me up and said, ‘UB, I think I’m tired. Take care of our children.’ I promised you, Kemi, I will do my best to take care of them. And I hope they cooperate with me.”
In her tribute, conveyed through the Wife of the Vice President, Sen. Remi Tinubu, the Wife of the President told the chief mourner, Governor Eno, “You are not the only one who will miss her. We all will miss her. But who are we to question God?”
In the funeral sermon, Rev. Simeon Afolabi, reflecting on the subject “When Death Occurs,” said that man is reminded of the brevity of time and is bound to reflect on the true meaning of life and what comes after death.
“Death occurs regularly, but we are hardly conscious of it until it claims a loved one. When the death of a loved one occurs, our world shrinks, not just because of the loss of their physical presence, but by what they mean to us.”
He further explained that death, when it comes, also expands our worldview, giving us the understanding that death is a leveler, like time and emotions.
First daughter, Acting First Lady of Akwa Ibom eulogises
Sharing the life and times of her mother, the first daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, who has stepped into her shoes as Acting First Lady of Akwa Ibom, captured a turning point for the Enos during her father’s gubernatorial campaigns when Mrs. Eno told the people on her husband’s birthday, “You call him albino, but I call him my Golden Boy!”
“This singular statement went viral on social media and became the campaign theme for His Excellency, coining the season ‘The Golden Era.'”
Eulogies also came from Pastor Ebong Eno for the bereaved family, Pastor S.B. Owo for the All Nations Christian Ministry International, Eteidung Udousoro Usoro for Ikot Ekpene Udo, the governor’s hometown, and Assam Assam (SAN), Director General of Umo Eno’s Campaign Organization for his emergence as governor.
The body of the late Mrs. Patience Umo Eno was committed to mother earth at the family grounds in her husband’s home, after which dignitaries and guests were treated to refreshments.