Nigerians React As Governor Eno Presents Daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki As Akwa Ibom First Lady To Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Following the appointment and presentation of his daughter Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom state, some Nigerians have described the decision of Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno as an unprecedented style of leadership in Nigeria's democracy.
By: Eniola Akinyemi, Isaac Agunbiade
Following the death of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, has appointed and presented his daughter, Mrs.Helen Eno Obareki to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, leading Nigerians to describe the development as an unprecedented style of leadership in the country.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the Nigerian First Lady praised Governor Umo Eno’s decision to appoint his daughter, , to take over the role of First Lady of Akwa Ibom State.
The presentation took place during a condolence visit to the Eno family in Uyo on last weekend, when Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed her support for Helen Eno Obareki’s appointment, noting that it reflects practices seen in the United States and is a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy, particularly through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
Senator Tinubu was accompanied on the condolence visit by Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, as well as wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly.
Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, reflected on his deep bond with his late wife.
He recalled that “I married her when she was 19, and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succour," adding that "We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life.”
OTN News gathered that prior to the condolence visit by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Eno had appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki to fill the vacuum created by the death of his wife, and had transferred the operations of the duties of the First Lady to her stating, “It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the deputy governor and the commissioner for Women’s affairs and social welfare.
The governor expressed his full confidence in his daughter’s ability to preserve the values and vision of her late mother, pledging to sustain the projects initiated through the First Lady’s Office.
Consequent upon the introduction of the Governor's daughter as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom state to the President's wife, Senator Tinubu acknowledged Pastor Patience Eno’s support for her own national pet project as well as her dedication to her husband’s ARISE governance agenda.
Quoting her, “Politics aside, we are all Nigerians, and one of the things I thank God for is the opportunity to show love and care when we meet people. I want to thank God for Patience’s life. Though short, she completed her race. May God comfort you, your family, and your children. I will always be here for you,” she assured the governor.
Senator Tinubu thereafter offered words of encouragement to the new First Lady, saying, “Helen, your mom didn’t bring you to me for nothing, and it’s a blessing that your mom’s colleagues and the Vice President’s wife are here to support you. I know you well, and I believe God will guide you. You will accomplish even more than your mother, and He will grant you good health.”
In a related development, during a separate condolence visit by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Eno has addressed rumours related to his decision to take a second wife, saying, “I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon,” jokingly adding that he doesn’t have the money to pay another bride price.
The Governor affirmed that the vacancy left by his late wife cannot be filled, noting that, “Her legacy will live on in our hearts. She initiated several projects, and that’s why I introduced our daughter, Helen, to the First Lady. She will step in to coordinate the work, ensuring that the Office of the First Lady continues the programs my wife started.”
OTN News recalls that the wife of Awka Ibom state, Pastor Mrs. Patience Eno passed away on September 26th, 2024 at a private hospital in the presence of her family aged 57.
OTN News reports that while many Nigerians have described the decision as a welcome development, necessary to sustain the legacy of the deceased First lady, others have simply wondered why the family did not rather choose to mourn the deceased First lady, whose death has not reached a full month, long enough to show how much they treasure her life, times and contributions to the state, instead of the Governor's action of hurriedly appointing her daughter as the First Lady of the state in her place.
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