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By Etim Etim

I really feel for Pastor Umo Eno on the death of his wife. A genial, respectful and easy-going gentleman, he must be going through a lot now. Death in the family is the most painful experience on earth, and I have seen it all. But losing a life-long partner, who has been with you through thick and thin, is so agonizing.

How will the governor cope alone? For the next six years plus? His wife was his number one adviser, counselor and strategist. Now she’s gone. Who will he confide in? How does he walk into her empty room now and not cry? Her clothing (women have a lot of them); her jewelries; her trinkets; her dresser; her photographs on the wall staring back at you? I feel for Umo Eno.

Well, I understand that the children are grown, but daddy will now play dual roles, filling up for their mom. He will have to call the grandchildren more often, have them over often and crawl on the carpet with them. But grandma is irreplaceable.

I never met Mrs Umo Eno, but from a distance, I could tell that the couple appeared close and loving. I have also noticed her absence from many public functions, but I had no idea that she was unwell. Yet, the governor was holding up well. His stoicism is notable. I spoke with him earlier in the week, and there was no tinge of emptiness or desolation in his voice. As mirthful as ever, he sounded, and I could not suspect that he was in pain, carrying his cross alone.

My first impression of Mrs Eno was when she came to the husband’s stout defence during the campaigns last year. ‘’My husband is my golden boy’’, she spoke in Ibibio, to the admiration of all, including those on the opposing side; putting paid to what was becoming a nasty personal attack. That video has resurfaced and is now trending. I felt proud of her and took notice of her presence since then. A good wife offers an impregnable rampart around her husband and her home.

Atuekong Don Etiebet issued a statement, commiserating with the governor, noting that the governor had attended his birthday dinner, hosted by the Petroleum Club in Lagos, a day before her death. Atuekong wrote: ‘’I was weeping. I had headache; my BP was up. I was confused of what to say. My wife was screaming…’’. Why? Because Gov. Umo Eno has come to embrace and respect all Akwa Ibom elders, irrespective of political affiliations.

Atuekong in particular has suffered a lot under the hands of all our past governors.  But he is not a man in want. He does not beg to eat. Unknown to many, Etiebet is a very wealthy man with investments in real estates in VI and Ikoyi. Yet, previous governors behaved as if he was looking for what to eat from them, or he was a threat to their position. Atuekong Don Etiebet is the first and only Akwa Ibom man to own a Roll Royce. He was already a multimillionaire in dollars in the 1980s when these people were just starting out in life and were not even near Government House. It was in Government House that some of them saw millions for the first time and screamed! Go and verify. So, why was Atuekong Etiebet treated so shabbily by past governors? Is it insecurity? Envy? Grudges? I will return to this subject in due course. We are mourning now.

It is understandable why Atuekong feels a sense of loss and anguish for the death of the governor’s wife. It’s because Pastor Umo Eno is the only Akwa Ibom governor that has accepted and embraced Atuekong as a true Akwa Ibom elder and leader; not as a political opponent!

I thank Umo Eno for bringing back the culture of love, respect to elders and decency to our polity.  There is no more name-calling and incendiary invectives; no more bombastic boasts and talking down on the people and no more political violence in the State. The embers have come down considerably. Whenever I’m in Uyo these days, I feel peace. There was a time I used to hide in my gate house at night as a security measure!

May the Almighty God comfort the governor, his children and grandchildren in this difficult moment. May the governor be strong enough to continue in his good works; and may the soul of our dear First Lady rest in peace!