This is my second tribute to an Akwa Ibom State First Lady, the first being the late Mrs. Nneyin Alison Attah (1940-2012), who served as First Lady from 1999 to 2007. While I have documented Mrs. Attah’s life, achievements, and times in a book to be published soon, I will briefly compare the two women. Along with Maryam Babangida, they share one admirable characteristic – an unwavering compassion for the people, particularly women.
While each of these First Ladies acted in different times and roles, their dedication to bettering the lives of women was remarkable. Maryam Babangida’s “Better Life for Rural Women” program transformed the lives of many, especially in rural communities where I worked and witnessed firsthand the positive impact. Likewise, Mrs. Attah addressed malnutrition among children in Akwa Ibom by developing a food supplement that made schoolchildren look forward to their meals. Although I never met Maryam Babangida, I had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Attah.
Pastor Patience Eno, on the other hand, took a different route to gain my attention. We never met, despite my frequent visits to Akwa Ibom State from 1975 to 2020. I became aware of Pastor Eno seven years ago through a jobless graduate who adored her, referring to her as “Divine Mother” because of her kindness. Pastor Patience took care of her and other young women, feeding them and providing for their needs as if they were her own children. In my view, governments should prioritize feeding the people before anything else.
When I visited Akwa Ibom in 2022 during the primary elections, I asked locals about their preferred successor to Udom Emmanuel. The vast majority chose Umo Eno, and the reason was clear: his wife, Pastor Patience Eno. Many had either experienced her generosity firsthand or knew someone who had. Her compassion and dedication to helping the less privileged did not diminish after she became First Lady. In fact, she did even more for the people since last year.
Her passing left a deep sense of loss and grief, not only in Akwa Ibom but globally. Friends in Canada, when I called, could hardly speak through their tears. Pastor Patience Eno was truly a modern-day Dorcas in Akwa Ibom, a selfless soul who touched the lives of many.
It is a profound pity that there is no Peter to revive her, but indeed, it is not how long one lives but how well a life is spent that truly matters. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
AKWA IBOM @ 37: A SALUTE TO THE FATHER OF THE STATE
“A father is someone who, no matter how tall you grow, you still look up to.”
Monday, September 23, 2024, marked Akwa Ibom State’s 37th anniversary since its creation on September 23, 1987, by President Babangida. The day was another joyous occasion for the people of the state. The story behind the state’s creation remains a testament to the vision and persistence of leaders like Architect Obong Victor Attah, who played a pivotal role in ensuring its establishment.
