As the First Family of Akwa Ibom State lay their departed mother, and First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno to rest, wife of the President of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has mourned her departure saying she will be greatly missed by all, especially the Renewed Hope Initiative family.
Speaking at the home going ceremony of the Akwa Ibom First Lady, she noted that the few times she met with the deceased, she exuded rare admirable qualities which endeared her to many women across the country.
Senator Tinubu who was represented by the wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, said, “Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno was a righteous woman, the first time I met her, I could testify the kind of person she truly was.
“She was a courageous woman, A woman of faith. But who are we to question God, we’ll truly miss her.
“I am so glad her beautiful children are here, and I believe they will sustain her legacy.
“Your Excellency, I don’t want to get emotional, it gladdens my heart how you are celebrating her even in death. I want to assure you that the mother of the nation truly misses her. We will miss her, but God loves her the most.”
Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Patience Eno, described her as a beacon of faith, compassion and women’s transformative leadership.
He further described her as a wonderful woman who lived a life of service to God and humanity in pastoral care, just like her husband.
He said, “We are here to celebrate life, the life of an Amazon who had contributed immensely and tremendously to the peace, stability, and progress of Akwa Ibom State, the South-South region, and the nation as a whole.
“She was a pillar of support to her husband, the family, and we are all going to surely miss her.”
According to a release by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, VP Shettima attended the funeral at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prayed God to “grant His Excellency the Governor, the Senate President, the government, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
In his remark, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno eulogised the departed First Lady saying she was a virtuous woman, and an epitome of beauty.
According to him, “I met my wife forty years ago, we courted for two years and we have been married for thirty eight years. I doubt if anyone can ever fill her space.
“Yes, a pillar has left us, but your collective love has become our pillar.
“Your collective support has become our strength, and more so, the Holy spirit will ever remain our comforter. Kemi, you were a wonderful woman and I know without a shadow of doubt that you are in the bosom of Abraham.”
Appreciating everyone for identifying and supporting the family, he said, “We are here today to thank God for the life and times of my dear wife, and our mother, the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State who has gone to be with the Lord in glory.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, starting from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are overwhelmed by the out pouring of love by our mother, and the mother of the nation, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu who led all of the women, and all of the Governors’ wives, all of the Ministers’ wives to pay us the first condolence visit.
“We thank all of the women of this Country, from the wife of the Vice President and all of them.
“Time will fail me to begin to thank you one after another, but I want to say that you have shown us love, and that love has strengthened us.
“If we stand here today strong, it is because the Nation has risen as one to condole us and to give us their shoulders to lean on.
“I trust that God who sees all of your contributions in secret will bless you in the open,” he added.
The funeral service was attended by eminent Nigerians including President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, State Governors and their spouses, former State Governors and their spouses, National Assembly members, religious leaders, royal fathers and others.
