Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has rejected a media report (not by PorscheClassy News) claiming that his first daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, was appointed as the First Lady of the state.
Earlier report has it that Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, the governor’s wife, passed away at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members.
During a condolence visit from the Wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the governor explained that his daughter, who served as the Special Assistant to his late wife, was well-positioned to coordinate the Office of the First Lady.
Speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry Intl in Eket on Sunday, the governor emphasized that his daughter’s coordination of the office was a natural outcome rather than a political move.
He explained that asking her to manage the office would help heal the family, keep the office functional, and serve as a source of comfort to him.
The governor highlighted that First Ladies are not appointed, and given the unfortunate passing of his wife, it was both appropriate and comforting for his daughter, her closest assistant, to continue the work of the office.
Eno said special attention would be given to his wife’s pet project, “Golden Initiative For All,” and other programs supporting women, the elderly, vulnerable people, and the less privileged. He added that Mrs. Obareki’s experience, exposure, education, and access made her the best fit to continue these efforts.
He clarified, “Please listen to me and listen well, First Ladies are not appointed, they come with the governor. I made a statement, and I would like to repeat that statement for the avoidance of doubt.
“Our daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, will coordinate the office of the First Lady. She had been with the mother from the beginning, and you heard the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, say ‘The mother introduced her to me.’
“So appointing her as the coordinator is not an appointment of a First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady.
“So, by appointment, she is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady. This is not political, it is natural.
“All I pray for is support and wisdom for her to be able to ensure that none of those programmes will die and that she will bring more insight and innovation to the office.”
The governor explained that his decision was made to help heal his family and maintain the smooth operation of the office.
“The only reason I brought this up again is for clarification, that I am conscious of what I am doing, and it is to bring healing to the family and allow the office to keep running. That’s one of the ways I will be comforted,” he added.
He further elaborated, “Even when Jesus died, Peter said ‘Choose from amongst us those that were with Jesus.’ So, for me, the Office of the First Lady has responsibilities to the women of this state, and my wife had programmes she was running: the GIFA, the support for the elderly and the other programmes, and as long as I remain governor, those programmes will not die.
“There must be a coordinator, and it must be someone that I see daily, someone that can walk into my room and brief me, not a distant person.”
He expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Tinubu and the notable women who accompanied her for their timely visit.
The governor also thanked Mrs. Tinubu for recognizing the appointment of Obareki to oversee the late mother’s office as appropriate.
He appreciated the church for their messages of consolation and urged them to find solace in the word of God.
