By Winifred Momoh
The Akwa Ibom state Governor his excellency pastor Umo Eno has spoken about his decision to make his daughter sit as the first lady of Akwa Ibom state.
following the death of his beloved wife .
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, made this through a media report bringing up the idea of his first daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, to be the new first lady of the state.She has been assigned for that position.
Late Mrs Patience Umo Eno, wife of the governor,who died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, with her family members present .
During the period of grief the Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, paid a condolence visit. The governor pastor umo eno said his daughter Mrs Helen Obareki, who the Special Assistant to his late wife Mrs Patience Umo Eno, was in the right position to coordinate the Office of the First Lady.As she had more insight to the agenda and the plans she had for her dear state when she was Alive.
Speaking on Sunday at the All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket, the governor explained that his daughter’s decision to take on the role of office coordinator was more of a spontaneous act than a result of political calculation.
He further went on to explain that asking her to control the office would bring a sense of healing to the family, hold on to the standards and aim of the office to keep it going and to provide a relieve . He further went on the emphasize that the office of the first lady was not and has not been an appointment.stating that it was appropriate—as well as consoling and reassuring—for the daughter, who had been his wife’s closest aide, to oversee the office’s ambitious programs in light of the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
Pastor umo eno made it known to all that all focus will still be on his wifes project Golden Initiative For All and every other support programme to support women, elderly, vulnerable, and the less privileged, adding that the activities could only be sustained with Mrs Obareki as coordinator due to her experience, exposure, education and access.
The Pastor had to draw emphasis on this again stating that first ladies are not appointed but rather the Governor chooses who he want his first lady to he .
He said “Please listen to me and listen well, First Ladies are not appointed, they come with the governor. I made a statement, and I would like to repeat that statement for the avoidance of doubt. “Our daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, will coordinate the office of the First Lady. She had been with the mother from the beginning, and you heard the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, say ‘The mother introduced her to me’. “So appointing her as the coordinator is not an appointment of a First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady.
he stated that the reason he brought this up was because he is very conscious of his decision.
Governor Eno expressed the importance of the First Lady’s role in supporting women’s programs in the state. He mentioned his wife’s previous initiatives and emphasized the need for a dedicated coordinator to oversee these programs. Eno thanked Mrs. Tinubu and her team for their visit and support, and he also acknowledged the appointment of Obareki to manage his late mother’s office. Finally, he thanked the church for their condolences and encouraged them to find comfort in the word of God.
