Helen Eno-Obareki in Her Mother’s Big Shoes

Governor Umo Eno’s wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has passed away. With her passing, she has left behind not just a grieving family but also the responsibilities of the First Lady’s office. Her death marks a sad chapter in Akwa Ibom’s history as she is the first serving First Lady to die in office. In response, the governor appointed his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, to step into her late mother’s shoes, at least temporarily.

Helen, who had worked closely with her mother as a special assistant, was chosen to carry on the legacy of the deceased’s charitable works. Her appointment stirred mixed reactions, with some wondering if being a First Lady is a role anyone can take up. The governor, however, insists this is not an appointment of a new First Lady but merely a coordination of her mother’s existing initiatives.

In Nigeria, First Ladies aren’t appointed; they come as part of the package with the governor. Yet here we are, with Helen taking on a quasi-First Lady role, raising eyebrows and questions about what the role truly requires. The governor explains that this is a natural move, given Helen’s experience and the closeness she had with her mother.

While some see the move as practical, others wonder if it’s another sign of political dysfunction. Can a daughter simply replace her mother, even if temporarily, in such a public role? The office of the First Lady, especially with its social projects, carries a weight that goes beyond familial ties.

Governor Eno, determined to sustain his late wife’s initiatives like the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), seems confident in Helen’s ability to manage the office. He made it clear this isn’t about political expediency but about preserving a legacy. Yet, in a country like Nigeria, where logic often takes a back seat, the appointment still feels unusual to many.

While tradition would say the First Lady comes with the governor, this new dynamic in Akwa Ibom challenges those expectations. What a pity indeed. The daughter might do well, but can she really fill her mother’s shoes?