Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has named his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, as the Acting First Lady of the state, following the recent passing of his wife, Pastor Patience Eno.
The governor made this announcement on Friday, October 4, during a condolence visit from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other dignitaries in Uyo, the state capital.
Eno explained that his daughter will now assume the responsibilities of the First Lady to maintain the office’s continuity and oversee the projects initiated by his late wife.
“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 said
He expressed his confidence in his daughter’s ability to uphold the values and vision of her late mother, affirming his commitment to sustaining the projects initiated through the First Lady’s office.
Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, reflected on his deep bond with his late wife.
“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,” he said. “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.”
