Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday joined other dignitaries to pay tributes to the late Mrs. Patience Eno, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, at her funeral.
The ceremony which took place at Ikot Ekpene, Udo Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, was also attended by incumbent and former governors as well as National Assembly members.
Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, His Bauchi State counterpart Senator Bala Mohammed, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimna, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Akwa Ibom State governor Mr Udom Emmanuel all graced the occasion.
In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima described the late First Lady as a wonderful woman who lived a life of service to God and humanity in pastoral care, just like her husband.
Speaking during her funeral, the Vice President said the invaluable contributions of the late Mrs. Eno to society and her exemplary role as a silent yet profound leader in Nigeria will be an inspiration for generations.
He said: “We are here to celebrate life; the life of an Amazon who has 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.”
VP Shettima, who attended the funeral at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.”
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According to the Vice President, the late “Mrs. Patience Eno embodied the essence of women’s unsung leadership in our society.
“Her actions spoke louder than words through her service to the underprivileged, her pastoral commitment and her tireless dedication to the well-being of others,” he added.
VP Shettima lauded the late First Lady for her charitable initiative, the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), which provided essential resources such as food, shelter and education to vulnerable members of the community.
“She was not just a wife or a mother; she was a leader who exemplified the strength and grace of Nigerian women.
“Through her work with GIFA and her unwavering faith, she touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on Akwa Ibom and beyond,” the Vice President stated.
Noting the broader significance of Mrs. Eno’s life as a reflection of women’s leadership in Nigeria, Senator Shettima said the nation owes much of its progress to women like her, “who led not with titles but with actions.”
He continued: “They are the backbone of families, communities, and our nation’s moral compass. Her legacy of service, compassion and faith is a beacon that will continue to inspire generations. She lived not just for herself but for others—for God, for Akwa Ibom, and humanity.
“She showed us all that leadership is not always in the spotlight. It is in the quiet sacrifices, the selfless acts of giving, and the courage to care for others,” the Vice President added.
In his tribute, Eno said the memories of his late wife would remain fresh in his thoughts and warm in his heart.
He promised not to forget her or describe her in past tense for the rest of his life.
He said: “You were my anchor, the one who could tell me what was right and what was wrong. With your death, a 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.’”
In her remarks, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, recalled the laudable contributions to humanity of the departed First Lady and urged the family to emulate her legacies.
In his homily, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly in Port Harcourt, who spoke on the topic “When Death of Love One Occurs” said whenever a love one dies, our world strain because of what we think of her, adding that anyone who makes a difference in life does not die alone.
Drawing copiously from the scriptures, 1 Thess: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family members of the late first lady to emulate the good legacies of their late mother.
Other dignitaries who attended the funeral service included Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, among others.