Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed media report suggesting that his first daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, has been appointed as the First Lady of the state.
Even as he gave further clarification on her new role in his led-government.
Blueprint recalls that Mrs Patience Umo Eno, wife of the governor, died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members.
During a condolence visit by the Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, the governor said his daughter, as the Special Assistant to his late wife, was in the right position to coordinate the Office of the First Lady.
Speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry Intl, Eket, on Sunday, the governor described the move for his daughter coordinating the office as a gesture that came more out of a natural outcome, than a product of political expediency.
He stated that asking her to coordinate the office would bring healing to the family, keep the office running, and serve as one of the ways he would find comfort.
He stressed that First Ladies were not appointed, adding that in the face of the sad situation of the demise of his wife, it was not only proper but also comforting and assuring for the daughter, who had been her closest assistant, to coordinate the lofty programmes of the office.
Eno said priority attention would be given to his wife’s pet project, “Golden Initiative For All,” and other support programmes for the women, elderly, vulnerable, and the less privileged, adding that the activities could only be sustained with Mrs Obareki as coordinator due to her experience, exposure, education and access.
“Please listen to me and listen well, First Ladies are not appointed, they come with the governor. I made a statement, and I would like to repeat that statement for the avoidance of doubt.
“Our daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, will coordinate the office of the First Lady. She had been with the mother from the beginning, and you heard the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, say ‘The mother introduced her to me’.
“So appointing her as the coordinator is not an appointment of a First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady.
“So, by appointment, she is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady. This is not political, it is natural.
“All I pray for is support and wisdom for her to be able to ensure that none of those programmes will die and that she will bring more insight and innovation to the office,” he said.
He said he decided to bring healing to the family and allow the smooth running of the office.
