The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has eulogised his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, as a remarkable woman whose influence, compassion, love and sacrifice extended beyond her family.

The Governor also extolled their daughter, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for sustaining her mother’s legacy through her role as Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, and for continuing to uphold the values and principles that defined the life and service of Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

Governor Eno spoke on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the second memorial service in honour of his wife the First Lady, which was held at the All Nations Christian Ministry International, in Eket.

Governor Eno said his years of marriage to his wife thrived on close friendship, genuine affection, mutual confidence and collective resilience, rooted in family life and faith.

He said coping with her death has been painful and emotionally heavy, observing that the impact of certain individuals cannot be judged only by how long they lived, but by how profoundly they shaped their homes and how their legacies endure beyond their lifetime.

“There are some people whose lives cannot be adequately measured by the number of years they have spent with us. Their presence becomes woven into the fabric of our families. Their words become part of our memories; and their works become a legacy that continues to speak long after they have departed. My beloved wife, Kemi, and mother of our children was such a woman,” he said.

The Governor noted that Lady Eno Obareki’s work represented an extension of the foundation laid by her mother, urging her to remain steadfast in preserving the ideals and values she inherited.

The State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, applauded Lady Eno-Obareki for working tirelessly to uphold her mother’s vision for women in Akwa Ibom and for backing the Governor in driving his administration’s agenda for the State.

She said the deceased First Lady was a woman of remarkable accomplishments who left an indelible footprint through her deep faith, sound moral values and compassionate commitment to humanity.

In her tribute at the memorial, Lady Eno-Obareki celebrated her mother as a “phenomenal heroine” whose life enriched all who knew her.

She gave thanks to God for the grace, focus and strength to continue from where her mother left off, and expressed appreciation to Akwa Ibom people for their prayers, encouragement and solidarity.

Tributes were also received from the chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Engr Emmanuel Inyang on behalf of the deceased family and Mrs Udeme Eno, for the husband’s family.

Rehoboth Eno spoke on behalf of the children and the grandchildren took turns to speak about their memories of their loving grandmother.

Pastor SB Owoh spoke for the church, Pastor Nancy relayed the tribute from Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, and a friend of the family Apostle Lawrence Achudume. Each of the speakers recounted fond moments spent with the First Lady and prayed for the eternal repose of her soul.

In a sermon titled “The Memory of the Righteous Is Blessed” drawn from Proverbs 10:7, the Senior Pastor of Gloryworld International Gospel centre, Apostle Samuel Effiong, said those who make an impact in the lives of others do not just pass on, but continue to live in the hearts of those they impacted.

The Harmonic Voices Chorale International, Jayne Jesus, RehoSax and the different choirs of the church, had different presentations during the solemn celebration of a woman of Grace and Light, fondly called Eka Iberedem Akwa Ibom State.

The high point of the memorial service was the unveiling of the book, “The Patience to Build: Lessons from My Mother”, a tribute written by the Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, in honour of Pastor Patience Umo Eno, chronicling her mother’s life and values, documenting lessons, memories and experiences drawn from her life as a wife, mother, a woman of deep faith and a compassionate leader who nurtured and served others.

Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
September 26, 2026.