UYO
Tributes have been pouring in since Friday, following the shocking demise of the Akwa Ibom first lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
The passage of the first lady was made public in a press statement by the commissioner for information and strategy, Ini Ememobong, issued on Friday.
In the statement, the first lady was said to have passed away at a hospital on September 26, 2024, in the presence of family members.
In his swift reaction to the sudden loss, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, extended his heartfelt condolences to Governor Umo Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom.
In the Presidential statement which was signed by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on behalf of the Federal Government, President Tinubu commiserated with Eno’s family, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State over the sudden demise of the first lady.
The statement read in part: “The President joins them in mourning the painful and profound loss of the state’s first lady, who has supported Governor Eno’s administration.
“The President affirms that Patience Eno, as the wife to a visionary governor and an ordained gospel minister, embodied humility, resilience, and loyalty.
“President Tinubu acknowledges that through her ‘Golden Initiative for All,’ she demonstrated her passion for serving the people and residents of Akwa Ibom State with love, honesty and dedication, leaving a positive impact that will continue to inspire future generations.
“He trusts that her selfless service to improve the lives of women, children and the vulnerable will forever remain an important part of Akwa Ibom’s history, a legacy that will continue to inspire and be appreciated by future generations.
“President Tinubu commits the grieving family, friends and relatives to the comfort of the eternal God, who is the source of life and holds the future of all creation in his hands. He expresses his trust in their resilience and strength during this challenging time, offering reassurance and support. ”
In his own condolence message, Senate president Godswill Akpabio, described the late Mrs Eno as an incredible and exceptional woman.
In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr Eseme Eyiboh in Abuja, Akpabio said he was immensely saddened by the death of the wife of the governor.
He said the late Mrs Patience Umo Eno’s kindness, compassion and commitment to the cause of Akwa Ibom people would be greatly missed.
Akpabio’s message to Governor Eno read: “Your Excellency, my dear brother and governor, Pastor Umo Eno, I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your beloved wife, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
“My heart goes out to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
“I knew Pastor Patience Umo Eno closely and she was an incredible partner and an exceptional woman whose kindness, compassion and dedication to the family and people of Akwa Ibom State will never be forgotten.
“Her support and partnership with you throughout your journey were invaluable. Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us.
“My family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and the Senate and the 10th National Assembly stand in solidarity with you, sharing in your grief and offering our heartfelt condolences.
“May God grant you and the entire family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss”.
In a tribute she personally wrote, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, eulogised the late Pastor Eno, describing her as a God-fearing and remarkable woman.
She noted that the deceased mother of six was full of grace and compassion and was deeply committed to her family, the people of Akwa Ibom State and the nation, her kindness, humility and dedication to her people would continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
Senator Tinubu extended her deepest condolences to Governor Umo Eno, his children, family and the people of Akwa Ibom State.
She prayed that the Almighty God would grant them strength and comfort to bear the irreparable loss and that the deceased woman’s gentle soul would rest peacefully.
The late Mrs Eno was not only the first lady of Akwa Ibom State but also the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Senator Tinubu wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, the children, family and the good people of Akwa Ibom on the passing of the first lady and renewed hope initiative state coordinator, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo-Eno.
“Her Excellency was a God-fearing, remarkable woman, full of grace and compassion, who was committed to her family, the people of Akwa Ibom State and our dear nation.
“Her kindness, humility and dedication to her people will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched. Her demise is indeed a painful one.
“My thoughts and prayers are with His Excellency, children, family and the entire people of Akwa Ibom State at this difficult time.
“I pray Almighty God grant you strength, comfort to bear this irreplaceable loss and may her gentle soul rest peacefully in the bosom of our Lord.
“May the soul of Pastor Patience Umo Eno rest in perfect peace.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has extended its condolence to the Akwa Ibom State governor.
This was contained in a statement issued by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State who is the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The statement read in part: “The NGF sends its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency the Governor, the family, and the people of Akwa Ibom on this devastating loss of the precious jewel.
“Our hearts are with His Excellency and his family at this difficult moment, and we ask that God Almighty give him all the strength he needs to soldier on.”
The statement added: “The forum prayed to God to repose the soul of the late First Lady of the state and give the family the fortitude to bear this huge loss.”
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