Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has debunked reports making the rounds that he has appointed his eldest daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as First Lady.
The Governor had lost his wife, Mrs Patience Umo Eno, in the past week.
The Governor, via a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Ekerette Udo, on Sunday, said Helen was appointed as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, not First Lady, as wrongly reported.
During a condolence visit from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Eno presented Helen as the Coordinator, and tasked her with continuing her late mother’s initiatives, including the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA).
Helen’s role aims to preserve her mother’s legacy and ensure continuity in the Office of the First Lady.
The governor, via the statement, emphasized that “First Ladies are not appointed, stressing that this title is not a position to be filled.”
He expressed gratitude to the media for support during this difficult time and requested respectful reportage to protect his family’s privacy.
Helen Eno Obareki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources Management from Oklahoma Christian University.
Patience, Governor Eno’s wife of over three decades, passed away recently in London, United Kingdom, after a brief illness.
The Late First Lady’s Imprints
Can the daughter literally step into the late mother’s shoes, seamlessly?
Most official activities of her stint as First Lady were under her flagship project, The Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
It focused on maternal and child health, environmental improvement, healthcare for people living with disabilities, gender-based violence elimination, women empowerment, disease prevention and control, literacy enhancement, and care for the elderly.
GIFA’s scope extended beyond healthcare, encompassing education and economic empowerment.
The initiative provided essential services, training, and resources to vulnerable populations, fostering a supportive community.
Additionally, Pastor Patience Umo Eno initiated other projects, such as the Water Project, which resuscitated a 12,000-litre water facility in Ibiaku, and Support for Mothers of Multiple Birth Children, offering financial and material assistance to families across the State.
The continuation of Pastor Patience Umo Eno’s initiatives, now under the coordination of her daughter, ensures her legacy endures.