‘I’ll never describe you in past tense’ – Gov Eno pays tribute to late wife at funeral

Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has paid tributes to his Late wife and First Lady of the state, Pastor (Mrs), Patience Umo Eno, as he laid her to rest on Friday, November 29.

The governor, in his speech during the funeral which held at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit-Ubuim LGA of the state, said he would never describe his late wife in past tense as her memories remain fresh in his thoughts and warm in his heart.

“You were my anchor, the one who could tell me what was right and what was wrong. With your death part of me is gone, but I will cherish the memories we shared forever.

“Today, as we bid you farewell, the whole world is here, celebrating your memories, and as I look at our children and grandchildren, I take consolation in the fact that the journey that began 40 years ago, in church, has been a journey of growth and immeasurable blessings and we will be fine

“I will never describe you in past tense. You will always be my “Oluwakemi”, alive in my mind, fresh in my thoughts and warm in my heart,” Eno stated.

In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who recalled the departed Akwa Ibom First Lady’s laudable contributions to humanity, urged the family to emulate her legacies.

Earlier in his homily, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly in Port Harcourt, who spoke on the topic, ‘When Death of Love Ones Occurs’, said,”Whenever a loved one dies, our world strains because of what we think of the person”, adding that anyone who made a difference in life does not die.

Drawing references from, 1 Thess: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family of the late First Lady to emulate the good legacies of their mother.

The funeral service was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimna, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, among others.

Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana and a host of other dignitaries.