For the first time since the death of his wife of 38 years, Patience, on September 26, Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured residents of the state that the sad development will not halt the machinery of government.
Extolling the virtues of his late wife he fondly called Oluwakemi, the Governor said, “Kemi was everything a man could ever wished for in a virtuous woman. My prayer partner, counsellor, cheer-leader, best critic, home-maker and permanently smiling. I will miss her for a life time.”
In a statewide radio and television broadcast on Friday, Governor Eno also applauded the President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun; the 35 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (SGF) and former governors of the state, for joining other eminent Nigerians to pray for his family.
Assuring that his wife’s vision for the development of the state will be sustained, Governor Eno said, “Let me assure all that, we will pursue everything she held dear while she was with us. The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), as well as all other initiatives she had started will be sustained and expanded.”
Besides, the Governor said, “the machinery of State will continue to function seamlessly as government will continue to be alive to her responsibilities,” vowing that the focus will not be shifted from rendering services to our people with renewed strength as this is what Kemi has always prayed for.”
“Let me appreciate you my dear people for honouring the demise of my late wife, with the flag being flown at half mast for seven days, that would come to an end on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
“Permit me to commend our security agencies for maintaining the peace during this solemn moment in our dear State and urge them to do more to maintain the peace, as we go into the local government elections.
“I must confess that your words of encouragement have helped a great deal in comforting us at this moment of great loss, grief and bereavement. I trust that you will continue to respect our privacy as we journey through this grief,” he stressed.
