Shettima: Late Akwa Ibom First Lady Will Continue to Inspire Generations

•Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Akpabio, others grace funeral

Okon Bassey in Uyo, Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday joined some eminent Nigerians and the people of Akwa Ibom State to pay glowing tributes to the wife of Governor Umo Eno, late Patience Eno, describing her as a beacon of faith, compassion and women’s transformative leadership.

Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, state governors, and other dignitaries graced the funeral.

The remains of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State were yesterday laid to rest.

At the funeral service held in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit-Ubuim  Local Government Area of the state, Shettima described the deceased as a wonderful woman who lived a life of service to God and humanity in pastoral care, just like her husband.

The Vice President said the invaluable contributions of 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.”

Shettima who attended the funeral at the behest of President Bola Tinubu prayed God to “grant the Governor, the Senate President, the government, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

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.

Shettima lauded 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, Shettima said the nation owes much of its progress to women like her, “who led not with titles but with actions.”

 “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.

Akwa Ibom State Governor and husband of the deceased, Umo Eno said the funeral was an opportunity to thank God for the life of his late wife and applauded the support and show of love from all over the nation over the death and burial of the wife.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, starting from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love by the mother of the nation, distinguished Senator Remi Tinubu who led all the Governor’s wife, all of the minister’s wives to pay us the first condolence visit. Mummy, we thank you, and all the women of this country.

“I want to say that you have shown us love and that love strengthens us. If we stand here today strong, it is because the nation has risen as one to condole us and to give us a shoulder. I thank you,” he stated.

The governor charged Nigerians to rise in one accord and stop fault-finding, but support President Tinubu so that he can lead the nation into light.

According to Eno, his wife became larger in death than in life, saying he would miss her, and promised to do extra things and continue to live for the legacies his wife stood for.

“We will work extra hard not to disappoint Akwa Ibomites, and not to disappoint Nigerians. We want to say by the grace of God, we will continue to double our efforts, to push the frontiers of development of our state forward.

“We will continue to double up our efforts in being humble, in maintaining relationships, in living up to the legacies that my wife stood for.

“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,” he said.

In his homily, Rev. Simeon Afolabi of the First Love Assembly, Port Harcourt, spoke on the topic: ‘When Death of Love Ones Occurs’ saying whenever loved ones die our world strains because of what we think,” adding that anyone who makes a difference in life does not die alone.

Quoting the scriptures, 1 Thessalonians: 4;15-16, Afolabi urged the family of the late first lady to emulate the good legacies of their late mother.

For her part, Senator Oluremi Tinubu referred to the deceased as a woman of faith who was courageous, and charged her children to sustain her legacy.

Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of the Vice President, said Patience deserved to be celebrated.

“The first time I met her, I can testify the kind of person late Pastor Patience Umo Eno was. She was a woman of courage and faith, a caring woman. Your Excellency, for sure, not only you, we are all going to miss her. Who are we to question God? There is time for everything.

“Our hope and prayers are with you, the family and our dear excellencies, who are the state coordinators for the Renewed Hope Initiative. Truly, she deserves to be celebrated and it gladdens my heart at the colourful way she was celebrated. May God comfort you and the family,” she said.

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Illya Damagum, led other members of the party’s National Working Committee at the burial.