Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, who is still in mourning for his late wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has stated that he finds it difficult to accept the anguish of the event.
Eno was discussing his sorrows with fellow members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) during their Monday visit to the Government House in Uyo.
He informed the other governors that his 38-year wife, the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom, had enjoyed a prosperous life and was, by all accounts, a remarkable achiever.
“It is something that we cannot easily come to terms with. For me, when I talk to people, I tell them this is a lifetime of mourning, you mourn in stages.
“It is not something you just finish mourning and it is over because as long as you live, you will keep seeing that there is a vacuum.”
He admitted that other governors’ condolence visits, along with the well-meaning actions of other Nigerians, had greatly assisted in providing consolation to him and his family.
The Governor said:
“But the truth is, the encouragement, the comfort and the support we have received from very well meaning Nigerians gives us that hope, strength and the ability to continue to look forward.
“It is amazing how this has touched people across party lines. The other day, apart from the press release of His Excellency the President, he also made a personal call. He spent quite some time on phone with me. So the interest people are taking gives us that comfort and encouragement and it helps us manage the pain.
“So we thank you for coming all the way. To travel from one point to the other and to finally make it to Akwa Ibom is stressful. If people don’t love you, they won’t do all of that. So this is an indication of that love, and we do not take it for granted,”
The late Mrs. Patience Eno was referred to as a household name in humanity by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara State, who also serves as the Chairman of the NGF. He said that the loss of Mrs. Eno was devastating to the staff of the Forum as well as its members.
He asked God to give Governor Eno the strength to deal with the loss and to provide his daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, the wisdom to lead the Office of the First Lady’s pet project and other initiatives.
Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State and chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, stated that it would be hard to forget the departed First Lady because of her gentle demeanor and upbeat spirit.
As he expressed the condolences of the governors of sister states in the South-South zone, he begged the Governor to find solace in the principles she stood for and represented throughout her life.
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