Home Going Of A’Ibom First Lady Commences In Earnest

By Ossom Asaka
NSIT UBIUM
  Activities for the final home going of the late first lady of Akwa Ibom, late Pastor Patience Umo Eno, was officially flagged open last Wednesday with the formal opening of the mourning house at the first family’s country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
  The solemn event which attracted sympathizers from within and outside Akwa Ibom witnessed short speeches by eminent personalities who attested to the fact that the late first lady while alive, was an anchor and a virtuous woman whose love for her family was not based on material wealth, but a product of true love and faith.
  With the mourning house finally declared open, the flood gate was now open for condolence visits, an item on the funeral programme that is literally turning Ikot Ekpene Udo village in particular and Nsit Ubium Local Government Area into a Mecah considering the persons, groups, institutions and organizations that have so far berth their foots on that hitherto serene village to sympathise with the first family.
  These condolence visits which will come to an end tomorrow Tuesday, November 26, 2024 has the following personalities and groups among the early callers, former military administrator of the state, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, former civilian governors, Obong Victor Attah, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom state, College of permanent secretaries, boards, commissions, technical committees, honourary advisers, personal aides and ward personal assistants.
  Others in the list include, the executive of the People’s Democratic Party in the state, the Mkpat Enin stakeholders as well as the PDP caucus in Nsit Ubium, and the Rotary Club District 9142 among others.
  But on Friday November 22, the first family led by the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno together with thousands of sympathizers gathered at the international worship centre, Uyo for a Night of Glory and Tributes in honour of the departed first lady.
  Here, tears flowed freely as individuals and groups took turn to eulogise the late Patience Umo Eno.
  The state governor and husband of the deceased in his speech acknowledged the support and fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders in the country over the demise of his wife,   Pastor Patience Umo Eno, describing the president as a true father of the nation whose comforting words of hope and encouragement has helped him gain strength to maintain focus on the leadership of the State since his wife’s demise.
  He expressed appreciation to the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, and former Governor,  Mr Udom Emmanuel who he described as his political father, for their commitment, prayers and words of consolation in the period of grief.
  “Let me start by thanking, on behalf of my family, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support since the sad news of the demise of my wife came to the fore.
  “He put up a personal call to me, and I must say that it was very comforting. I would like to thank the first lady, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment and consolation. She led the entire ladies of substance, wives of Ministers, wives of the Vice President, Senate President, House of Representative members, Speakers and the entire first ladies of the States to visit us.
  “As a matter of fact, she was the first to visit. I thank her, and on behalf of my family, we thank the Distinguished Senate President and the wife for all of the personal visit, comfort and text.
  “I thank my boss, my political father, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel and his wife for standing by me even when my wife was sick. All of the prayers, all of the attention, I can never thank you enough Sir.
  “Indeed, the outpouring of love we have received within and outside Akwa Ibom, across the globe; all of the AKISAN, all of our people in Europe, I thank you.
  “We thank everyone in no particular order, for Akwa Ibomites who have prayed for us and who have also sent words of comfort,” he said.
  In his eulogy, Governor Eno, described his late wife as an anchor and a virtuous woman whose love for him was not based on material wealth, but a product of true love, faith, hope, and hard work, describing her death as a great loss, scorching  and penetrating emptiness of which, he must accept with faith.
  “The pain is difficult to bear. The emptiness scorching, and the sense of loss is deep and penetrating, but I must face the painful reality and accept the finality of the moment.”
Governor Eno reminisced on the motherly role of the late first Lady, describing her life as a clear manifestation of her name, Patience.
  “Your life was a clear manifestation of your name, Patience. You were patient with me. You refused to listen to the antics and voices of those who tried to stop our match and the fulfillment of our destiny.
  “You were a true mother figure who took everyone on your wings even when the load appeared heavy and unbearable.
  “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
“In those time, you were rock -solid in your faith of what the future would bring.
  “In times of plenty, you opened the damps and banks of your generosity to all who needed help.
  “When God perfected his plans in our lives and took me to the pinnacle of serving the State as the Governor, you were right there with me.
  “Throughout the campaigns, you garnished the people with different stories about your hobby and why they should invest their trust in me.
  “You gave me the name that has defined my administration today, “the Golden Boy.”
Tributes poured in from sympathizers including; Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,  and President of the Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio represented by the Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio.
   The first lady and wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, president of the senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who were both represented by Mrs Unoma Akpabio, former governors Victor Attah and Udom Emmanuel.
  Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki, Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker, State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, Chief Justice of the State, Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot, equally paid tributes to the beautiful memories and impacts of the late first lady on the society.
  The night featured song ministrations by choir groups and renowned gospel artists like Buchi, Moses Bliss, Aity Dennis Inyang, Progress Effiong and Steve Crown.
  According to a programme of event for the first lady’s funeral, a service of songs is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 27 at the first family’s country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo while the burial is slated for Friday, November 29 at the first family’s country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo while the burial is slated for Friday, November 29 after a funeral service also at Ikot Ekpene Udo, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.