Tinubu, Northern Govs, First Lady mourn Patience Umo Eno

President Bola Tinubu, the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu have expressed their condolences to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State following the passing of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

The news of her death was confirmed in a statement by Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, on Friday, who disclosed that the First Lady succumbed to an undisclosed illness.

Nigerians from various sectors continue to join in mourning and offering support to Governor Eno and his family during this difficult time.

Ememobong’s statement, tagged “Unexpected Sunset”, read: “It is with heavy hearts that we (Akwa Ibom Government) announce the passing of the wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.

“She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family.

“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.

“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary.”

Tinubu
President Tinubu extended his condolence to Governor Eno on the passing of his wife.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he joined them in mourning the painful and profound loss of the state’s First Lady, who had supported Governor Eno’s administration.

The President affirmed that Patience Eno, as the wife to a visionary governor and an ordained gospel minister, embodied humility, resilience, and loyalty.

President Tinubu acknowledged that through her ‘Golden Initiative for All,’ she demonstrated her passion for serving the people and residents of Akwa Ibom state with love, honesty, and dedication, leaving a positive impact that will continue to inspire future generations.

According to the statement, “He trusts that her selfless service to improve the lives of women, children, and the vulnerable will forever remain an important part of Akwa Ibom’s history, a legacy that will continue to inspire and be appreciated by future generations.”

Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, urged his colleague to take heart and take it in good faith.

While commiserating with Eno, Sanwo-Olu said, “Although the Holy scriptures are clear about life and death as one of the most constant human occurrences, it is usually not very pleasant when we lose our loved ones.

“Take the death of your wife of many years in good faith and see it as the will of God.”

The governor also urged him to have solace in the fact that the First Lady of Akwa Ibom lived a fulfilled life, made positive impact, and left a lasting legacy.

According to Sanwo-Olu: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke and family, the government and people of Lagos State, it is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with my brother Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on the passing of his beloved wife, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno.

“I also express my deepest condolences to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the entire Eno family, as well as wives of all the State Governors in Nigeria over the demise of the Akwa Ibom First Lady.

Northern governors
Also, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed deep sympathy and commiserated with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, over the demise of his wife, Mrs Patience Umo-Eno.

Yahaya in a statement by Director-General Press Affairs, Gombe Government House Ismaila Misilli, on Friday on behalf of the 19 Northern Governors, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State during this period of immense grief.

He described the Akwa Ibom First Lady as a woman of great virtue, a loving mother, and a pillar of strength to her family and the state.

He said: “Her demise has created a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill, not only within her immediate family but across the state where her influence was deeply felt.”

The NSGF Chairman consoled Governor Umo Eno to take solace in the divine will of God and the cherished memories of his late wife, praying God Almighty to “grant the bereaved family and the entire Akwa Ibom people the fortitude to bear this great loss, and for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.”

Remi Tinubu
In her message, the First Lady described the loss as “a deeply painful one.”

She said: “The First Lady who expressed her condolences in a statement she signed on Friday, said the deceased’s kindness, humility, and dedication to her people will continue to linger.

The late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, died on Thursday, September 26 after a brief illness in the hospital, in the presence of her family, at the age of 57.

The statement read: “It’s with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, the children, family, and the good people of Akwa Ibom on the passing of the First Lady and Renewed Hope Initiative State Coordinator, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo-Eno.

“Her Excellency was a God-fearing remarkable woman, full of grace and compassion, who was committed to her family, the people of Akwa Ibom State, and our dear nation.

“Her kindness, humility, and dedication to her people will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.”