Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has appointed his daughter to replace his late wife as First Lady.
The governor made the announcement during a condolence visit to his family by the Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu in Uyo.
Eno in a shocking move, proclaimed Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as replacement for his late wife, Patience.
Explaining the decision to transfer the First Lady’s duties to his daughter, Eno, who is a Pastor as well as his late wife, justified the decision explaining that “It is not an easy task ahead”.
According to him, “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”.
He expressed 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.
Reflecting on his deep bond with his late wife, Eno said “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.
“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”, he added.
In her remarks, Mrs Tinubu expressed support over Obareki’s appointment.
She noted that it reflects practices seen in the United States describing it as a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy, particularly through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
The president’s wife who recounted an encounter when the deceased introduced Helen to her said “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.”
She acknowledged the deceased support for her own national pet project and her dedication to President Tinubu’s ARISE governance agenda.
“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 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.
In a related development, the Governor addressed rumours of him taking a second wife during a separate condolence visit from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
He said “I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon because I didn’t have the money to pay another bride price.”
