Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed his profound gratitude to his colleague Governors and other eminent Nigerians for their condolences and moral support since the demise of his wife.
At a condolence visit on him by members of the Southern Governors Forum, at Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno said the visits have been a source of support, consolation encouragement and upliftment in his trying times.
He termed the visit a sacrifice of no mean measure, as the Governors had to leave their various responsibilities to their people only to visit on a Monday, and promised to reciprocate the gesture by committing himself more to the service of the people, even in the face of the difficult times he's facing.
In a tribute to the departed First Lady, the Governor described the late Pastor (Mrs) Patience Eno as his greatest cheerleader, most honest critic, consistent prayer partner, and one companion who understood him so we'll, having been with him for 40 years.
He however acknowledged that though his wife departed earlier than expected, she had left indelible marks on the sands of time, adding that the sustenance of her legacies had informed the nomination of his first daughter and closest assistant, Mrs. Helen Obareki, to continue coordinating the programmes of the office of the First Lady.
Commiserating with the Governor, his family and the entire people of Akwa Ibom State, on behalf of the Governors of the 17 Southern States, the Chairman of the Forum, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, said the bond of brotherhood that binds the governors is far deeper than the things that divide them, describing Pastor (Mrs) Eno's demise as a shared pain to all of them.
Affirming the legacies of the late Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, Prince Abiodun, who is also Governor of Ogun State, further said that as mere mortals, there is the temptation of questioning why death should befall such a person, but admonished all to give praise to God for the great feats she achieved in her lifetime.
He then prayed that God grants her soul eternal repose and the family, the fortitude and courage to go through the season of grief.
In the delegation were the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ogun State,
Prince Adedapo Abiodun; Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.