By Bassey Nkponam
NSIT UBIUM
It was a roll call of Nigerian personalities,on Friday, as the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno and his family, bade farewell to his late wife and First Lady, late Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who was interred in her country home, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Among the dignitaries were the country’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, former president, Goodluck Johnathan and wife, Patience, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, State governors and their spouses, former State governors and their spouses, National Assembly members who all mourned with the first family as they as they lay their departed mother to rest.
The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her remarks, noted that the late First Lady will be greatly missed by all, especially the Renewed Hope Initiative family.
She recalled that the few times she met with the deceased, she exuded rare admirable qualities which endeared her to many women across the country, describing her as a righteous and courageous woman, and a woman of faith.
Tinubu noted that the first time she met the deceased, she found it difficult to testify the kind of person she truly was, adding that it was not the place of humans to question God, but was consoled in the fact that her children are alive to sustain her legacy.
“She was a courageous woman. A woman of faith. But who are we to question God. We’ll truly miss her. I am so glad her beautiful children are here, and I believe they will sustain her legacy.
“Your Excellency, I don’t want to get emotional, it gladdens my heart how you are celebrating her even in death. I want to assure you that the mother of the nation truly misses her. We will miss her, but God loves her the most.”
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, paid glowing tribute to the late First Lady whom he described as a beacon of faith, compassion and women’s transformative leadership.
Shettima also saw her as a wonderful woman who lived a life of service to God and humanity in pastoral care, just like her husband, saying, “we are here to celebrate life, the life of an amazon who had contributed immensely and tremendously to the peace, stability, and progress of Akwa Ibom State, the South-South region, and the nation as a whole.
The Vice President said he was a pillar of support to her husband and the family, and will be greatly missed by all.
Shettima, who according to a release by the senior special assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, attended the funeral at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prayed God to grant “His Excellency the Governor, the Senate President, the government, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
The Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, eulogised the departed First Lady, saying she was a virtuous woman, and an epitome of beauty.
Eno recalled that he met the deceased 40 years ago, courted for two years, and married for 38 years, expressing doubt if anyone can ever fill her vacuum.
According to him, though the pillar has left the family, the collective love by Nigerians have become the family’s pillar and strength, appreciating everyone for identifying and supporting the family.
“I met my wife 40 years ago, we courted for two years and we have been married for 38 years. I doubt if anyone can ever fill her space.Yes, a pillar has left us, but your collective love has become our pillar.
“Your collective support has become our strength, and more so, the Holy Spirit will ever remain our comforter. Kemi, you were a wonderful woman and I know without a shadow of doubt that you are in the bosom of Abraham.
“We are here today to thank God for the life and times of my dear wife, and our mother, the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State who has gone to be with the Lord in glory.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, starting from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love by our mother, and the mother of the nation, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who led all of the women, and all of the governors’ wives, all of the ministers’ wives to pay us the first condolence visit.
“We thank all of the women of this country, from the wife of the Vice President and all of them. Time will fail me to begin to thank you one after another, but I want to say that you have shown us love, and that love has strengthened us.
“If we stand here today strong, it is because the nation has risen as one to condole us and to give us their shoulders to lean on. I trust that God who sees all of your contributions in secret will bless you in the open”.
Discussion about this post