Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has clarified reports regarding the appointment of his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, as the state’s First Lady following the passing of his wife, Mrs. Patience Eno. The governor emphasized that the role was not an official appointment but rather a natural progression, given Eno-Obareki’s previous position as Special Assistant to her late mother.
During a condolence visit from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Eno made it clear that he believed his daughter was well-suited to coordinate the activities of the First Lady’s office. He described this arrangement as a comforting response to the loss of his wife, who had been deeply involved in various charitable initiatives.
Addressing the congregation at the All Nations Christian Ministry International in Eket, Governor Eno asserted that first ladies are not formally appointed. He highlighted that it was both appropriate and reassuring for Eno-Obareki to take the lead in continuing the initiatives that were dear to her mother, especially in the wake of such a significant loss.
The governor also announced that priority would be given to the late First Lady’s key project, the Golden Initiative For All, alongside other programs aimed at supporting women, the elderly, and vulnerable populations in the state. He underscored that Eno-Obareki’s experience, education, and familiarity with the community uniquely position her to sustain and advance these important initiatives.
He said, “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, Sen. 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 only reason why I brought this up again is for the purpose of 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.”
Explaining further, he said, “Even when Jesus died, Peter said to 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.”
