By Akon Eyakenyi
It’s a frigid moment for me, when words can no longer bear the warmth and charm that make them powerful.
The recollection of my moments with you is fresh and refreshing. It evokes the memories of our first encounter, the experiences we shared and the unlived future that we envisioned for our families and our dear Akwa Ibom State.
That auspicious day can’t be forgotten. I was a Commissioner, on an assignment to commission the Royalty Hotels built by your husband more than two decades ago.
Ours was a typical case of love at first sight. It wasn’t difficult to connect with you and from that day, a beautiful, impactful and valued relationship sparked between your family and mine.
I started this note with a weight in my spirit, a chill within my spine, a hollow in my soul and a log that has trickled down my chin.
Until now, I have refused to believe that you are no more, for your voice still echoes in my ears, your figure is fixed in my eyes, your charisma exudes, your invisible presence is never absent from my eyes.
I can see you in your stellar simplicity, the epitome of feminine graciousness, the cradle of care, the humble spirit, the luminous star that can’t be trapped in the dark.
I have refused to believe you are gone. Six days before the news broke, we chatted on a course and heights to attain based on the report from the meeting I represented you in Abuja. You promised to handle the implementation on your return but alas you never did.
My journey with you has been visionary. The spot we met was a land on which we planted a garden of flowers. We watered that soil and nurtured it to this point when we are supposed to walk through the fragrance of our sweat.
A man’s chief asset is a supportive spouse. You demonstrated the virtue of your name, patience in harnessing your energy to build a synergy with the man with whom you hinged your purpose.
In season and out of season, your support was never removed from the vision of your husband. When you publicly called him, My Golden Boy, I was not surprised. It came from the womb of love and it was easy for everyone to believe and adopt.
Your light shone in exemplarity of your virtues. The Bible in Proverbs 31 talks about a nameless woman who was clad with virtues. Her life was not just dedicated to building her home, her hands were skilled in weaving wealth, clothing and farming.
You were that nameless woman because it takes patience and resilience to succeed impeccably in kingdom service, home management, community development and public service. You played these roles graciously.
A mother is a being whose silhouette sits in the moon, inspiring stars to shine. The future of Akwa Ibom women was entrusted in your hands because you were found worthy to mentor the coming generations with the sum of your experiences and wealth of wisdom.
Your humble spirit was willing to navigate the uncertain waters of politics in support of your husband in exchange with your calm and private poise. This to me is the divine portraiture of being a helpmate.
Beyond the beauty of being a supportive spouse, you were an inspirer of unity and friendship with people across class, age and status. Your heart was a home for all.
Mutual respect was the secret pillar of our relationship. You would often switch between dignifying me as ‘Aunty’ and venerating me as “Her Excellency“.
When you became the Governor’s Wife and the First Lady, nothing changed your simple, humble, calm and virtuous disposition. I will rue and bear my grief though words can’t aptly convey the deep sense of loss that has gripped my spirit.
Yes, I am perplexed by the shadow of your absence and your image fixed on my mind. I wish I had enough time and chance to thank you for the gift of your beautiful heart and the labour of love. I wish I had the inkling that your days and impacts here were spent.
I wish I could tell heaven that our angel has been trapped above. I wish I could bring you back. But no, you are in a better place where pains, sickness and hurt can’t be felt.
As tough as it is, I have to say this parting word…
Adieu…ooooo My First Lady.
Adieu…… My Gov’s Kemi.
Senator Akon Eyakenyi is the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State
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