Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has resumed duties after mourning his wife, Patience, whom he described as a key partner in the implementation of government’s policies and programmes under the administration’s ‘ARISE Agenda’ blueprint.

He highlighted the importance of the first lady’s office, noting that the enormity of responsibilities of the office left vacant by his wife had become too weighty to be allowed to be ignored.

He named her first daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obereki, to fill the position of first lady with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the office.

In radio and television broadcast on Friday, Eno promised to sustain the ideals of social empowerment for the very poor and the downtrodden which his departed wife stood for under her pet – project, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).

Presenting his daughter to the first lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Okuremi Tinubu, who was on a condolence visit at Government House, Uyo, the governor appealed to Mrs. Tinubu, to be her guide in the coordination of responsibilities of her late mother’s office.

He said: “It is not an easy task ahead, but to continue to sustain the office of the first lady, I want to please introduce our daughter, Mrs Helen Eno Obereki, and hand her over to you ma. She will continue to coordinate the office of Her Excellency. She will be working with all of our mothers, the deputy governor, commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, etc.”

Responding, the president’s wife expressed condolences to Governor Eno and people of the state and prayed for the repose of her soul, recalling that she was one of the strong pillars in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

She assured that her office would work in closely with the daughter to ensure effective implementation of the responsibilities of the office working in synergy with the national office.

Leadership