Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has vowed to always respect his predecessors, especially Mr Udom Emmanuel, as well as other leaders in the State.
“Let me say this for the last time: I will never have a problem with my predecessor. I have shown, both privately and publicly, the respect I have for Deacon Udom Emmanuel,” Governor Eno said.
He stated this at the second memorial service in honour of his departed wife and First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, held at All Nations Christian Ministry International, Eket.
Governor Eno said his upbringing and orientation of respect would always guide his relationship with past leaders.
He also clarified comments he made during the commissioning of a 14.8-kilometre road in ONNA Local Government Area, saying his response to a request by the Paramount Ruler of the area concerning some folded industries was directed at the owners of the businesses and had no connection with his predecessor.
Governor Eno explained that the word “Unadot”, which he used in his response, was an Ibibio word meaning “people” and was not derogatory.
“I want to make a clarification. We went to ONNA the other day to commission a project, and we went to do that project to honour of my boss. For me, I believed it was something to be thankful for, to inherit a project started by my boss and finish it.
“The Paramount Ruler asked me to partner and work on the syringe factory and the flour mill. I said that if they have a problem, let them tell us through the Commissioner for Special Duties, who is an indigene there,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “Two things: before I made that statement.I had already said government had no hand in those factories, so you cannot just be jumping into people’s businesses when they have not invited you.
“I never ever, standing on this altar of God where I have preached for over 20 years, mentioned or had Udom Emmanuel in mind. It didn’t even connect to him because he is not a shareholder in that business.
In his tribute to his departed wife, Governor Eno said that although she was no longer physically present, the evidence of her life would continue to endure.
“There are some people whose lives cannot be adequately measured by the number of years they have spent with us. Their presence becomes woven into the fabric of our families. Their words become part of our memories; and their works become a legacy that continues to speak long after they have departed. My beloved wife, Kemi, and the mother of our children, was such a woman.”
He recalled that during their 40 years of marriage, their union was built on companionship, friendship, love, confidence and strength in their family and faith journey.
“We shared joys and sorrows; triumphs and trials; laughter and tears. Through it all, she remained a remarkable woman whose influence, compassion, love, and sacrifice reached far beyond our home,” he added.
Governor Eno commended his daughter, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, for her book about her mother, describing it as “more than a collection of memories and lessons.
“It is a record of love of a woman whose greatest investment was not in possession or achievement but in people, especially our children and family.”
In her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, described her departed mother as a phenomenal heroine whose existence was a blessing to humanity.
In their separate tributes, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Rehoboth Eno, grandchildren and others recalled fond memories of the departed First Lady and prayed for the repose of her soul.
The service also featured special ministrations and the unveiling of the book, The Patience to Build: Lessons from My Mother, written by Lady Helen Eno-Obareki.
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