Late Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo
Flags fly at half mast, WTD events postponed, as Akwa Ibom loses First Lady
[By VICTOR NZE]
First Lady and wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Enoh, has died.
The late Mrs Enoh reportedly died, Thursday, September 26, at a hospital after an illness.
A statement confirming the report signed by the state’s commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, Friday, said the late First Lady died ‘in the presence of her family.’
The commissioner further added that the family of the deceased ‘requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.’
The late First Lady died as the state was gearing up to mark the World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations with elaborate plans already concluded which included a grand boat regatta, a fishing festival, in addition to the unveiling to some iconic slave and heritage sites in Uyo, as part of activities to commemorate the event.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.
“She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family.
“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.
“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering,” the commissioner said in the statement.
Similarly, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, has in a statement, Friday, directed that flags in all government buildings and facilities across the state, should fly at half mast, ‘as a symbol of the collective grief and mourning of the people of the state’
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, has directed that earlier arrangements put in place to commemorate the WTD 2024 be shelved, in honour of the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo.
According to Sir Udoh, Friday, the event scheduled to kick off at the Marina Beach, Nwaniba by 2pm, same day, and organized as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 WTD Celebrations in Akwa Ibom State, ‘has been postponed.’
“Due to the heaviness in our hearts at the moment, at the passing of the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno.
“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is sad to announce the postponement of the First Ibom annual Boat Regatta and Fishing Festival which was scheduled to hold today, Friday September 27th.
“Our hearts go to his Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno and the entire bereaved family at this trying period,” Udoh said.
