In a tribute to her mother, Helen Eno-Obareki, the first daughter of Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno and the late Patience Eno, has said she finds it hard to come to terms that her mother is dead.
Mrs Eno died of an undisclosed illness on September 26. She was 57.
At a night of tributes held in her honour at the International Worship Centre in Uyo on Friday night, Mrs Obareki, who is coordinating the office of the first lady, after the death of her mother, said she often wakes up in the morning to realise that the past few weeks had been “one horrible nightmare” for her.
“Every day the reality hits again and I feel like I’m suffocating under the weight of this loss. Still, I wipe my tears, lift my chin, hold my shoulders high, and take comfort in the fulfilled life you lived.
“It breaks my heart that all you had in mind for the women and children of our dear state couldn’t be fully realised the way you would have liked. But you have my assurance mom, I will carry on your legacy,” she said amidst tears.
“I miss you so much mom, you were everything to me. My mother, my friend, my counsellor, my therapist, my teacher, role model and my mentor,” the teary daughter said, wishing her mother a peaceful rest before returning to her seat after a hug from her father.
Ekaete-Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented her husband and first lady Oluremi Tinubu at the event.
Mrs Akpabio urged the governor to be consoled that his wife lived a life worthy of emulation.
“No one can replace her but who are we to question God? I know that God who took her will console you. She was a strong, patient, tolerant and prayerful woman,” Mrs Akpabio said.
