The Peoples Democratic Party and governors elected on its platform have expressed their condolences to Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and his family following the passing of his wife, Patience Umo Eno, who died this morning at the age of 57.
In a statement on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the late First Lady as an angelic figure, embodying grace and compassion.
Ologunagba noted that she was a faithful and trusted servant of God, who dedicated her life to the well-being of others with grace, humility, and love.
The statement read in part “The Peoples Democratic Party is heartbroken and devastated by the news of the death of Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, the beloved and treasured wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
“Our hearts bleed. Words are not enough to convey the anguish, sorrow, and pain we bear at this moment as a Party and a family.
“Pastor Mrs. Umo Eno was an angelic personality; a graceful and compassionate soul; God’s own faithful and trusted servant, who loved the Lord and devoted her life to the good and welfare of others with grace, humility, and love.
“Indeed, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and humanity have lost one of our best and brightest. Pastor Mrs. Umo Eno was a dazzling star taken from Earth to brighten the heavenly realm. She was an epitome of peace, a very caring mother, and a dutiful wife; an enduring lesson in humility, love, and selflessness who lived as a pillar of support, dependable friend, companion, and confidant to her husband Governor Umo Eno in his service to God, Akwa Ibom State and our dear fatherland.
“We commiserate with Pastor Umo Eno; our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time of profound grief recognizing the pain and emptiness this loss means to him.”
The PDP has also instructed that all party flags at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, be flown at half-mast for seven days.
It continued, “As we grieve, we submit to the Will of the Almighty God in consolation that our First Lady fought the good fight, kept the faith, and have received the Crown of Righteousness which the Lord Jesus Christ set aside for His Saints. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to Whom be glory forever”, Amen!
“Our Party prays to God to comfort Pastor Umo Eno, the children, family, government, and people of Akwa Ibom State with His Abiding Grace and grant us all the fortitude the bear this irreparable loss.
“In honour of the departed First Lady, the PDP directs that all Party flags at the Party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja be flown at half mast for seven days.”
In a related development, the PDP Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, expressed sorrow over the First Lady’s passing, noting that it has deprived Akwa Ibom governor of a confidant, adviser, prayer partner, soul mate, anchor, and primary supporter.
In a statement on Friday, the Forum’s Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, described her loss as heartbreaking and lamented that she is gone too soon.
The statement read in part “A state, a people, and a community has lost a caring purposeful mother, and the Forum is rudely shocked by this sudden death – an unexpected demise that has shaken the fabric of Akwa Ibom State to its foundation. This is one sunset that calls for sober reflections on the essence of life.
“Pst. Patience was an exemplary Christian mother and wife, who gave so much support to her husband, Governor Eno. In their over 37 years of marriage, the mother of their six children and grand-mum of nine grandchildren was inseparable from her husband; their love was limitless and she meant all to him – a confidant, an adviser, prayer partner, number-one supporter, and soul-mate.
“Affectionately known as “Eka Iberedem Akwa Ibom,” which translates to “Mother and Strong Pillar of Akwa Ibom”, she was a symbol of hope and selfless love, and her efforts significantly impacted countless lives through her philanthropic vehicle – the Golden Initiative For All, an organization focused on humanitarian activities and addressing poverty within to vulnerable populations and marginalized communities in Akwa Ibom.
“There is no doubt that this shattering death has robbed our governor of a confidant, an adviser, a prayer partner, a soul-mate, an anchor, and his number-one cheerleader. It has also stolen from all of us, the passion and compassion that she brought to bear in stabilizing the ship of state and the first family and friends and happening at this point when the baton for steering the ship requires utmost stability and steadiness of hand, is nothing short of cruelty.”
