By Jude Atupulazi
Members of the Southern Governors Forum on Monday, October 28, visited Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, to express their condolences to Governor Pastor Umo Eno, following the passing on of his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, who died last month at the age of 57.
The delegation was led by the Forum’s Chairman, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Vice Chairman, Professor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State. Other governors present included Peter Mba (Enugu); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); and Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
The delegation was received by the Akwa-Ibom State Governor and other State officials.
The late Akwa Ibom First Lady, who passed away on September 26, 2024, was known for her commitment to social development through her pet project, The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA). The initiative was designed to address various socio-economic challenges in the state, while supporting her husband’s administration.
Governor Umo Eno told how his wife’s passing on was a significant shock to him and his family but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and solidarity from the Southern Governors.
Earlier, the visiting Governors expressed their sympathies to Governor Eno and his family members, offering prayers for strength during their period of loss and for the peaceful repose of the late First Lady’s soul.
A press statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor, Mr Chris Aburime, said the solidarity shown by the Southern Governors Forum highlighted the strong bonds among state executives in the region, particularly in times of personal loss and bereavement. He noted that such, strengthened the values of unity and empathy expected of Nigerian leaders at all times.
