I Will Never Have A Problem With My Predecessor, Udom – Gov Eno Declares

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared that he will never have a problem with his predecessor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, stressing that he has consistently maintained respect for the former governor.

Eno spoke at the second memorial service in honour of his late wife and former First Lady of the state, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, held at All Nations Christian Ministry International, Eket.

The governor was reacting to what he described as attempts by mischief makers to create a rift between him, his administration and past leaders over comments he made during the commissioning of a 14-kilometre road in ONNA Local Government Area.

Eno explained that his response to the Paramount Ruler of ONNA, who had appealed to him to intervene in the syringe factory and flour mill in the area, was directed at the owners of the businesses and had nothing to do with Emmanuel.

According to him, the word “Unadod”, which he used in his response in Ibibio, simply means “the people” and was not derogatory.

“I want to make a clarification. We went to ONNA the other day to commission a project, and we went to do that project to honour my Boss. For me, I believed it was something to be thankful for — to inherit a project started by my boss and finishing it,” the Governor further repealed.

Explaining his response to the traditional ruler, Eno said, “The Paramount Ruler asked me to partner and work on the syringe factory and the flour mill. Since he spoke in Ibibio, I responded in Ibibio and said, ‘Unadod Iyemme, Iboho fien ke mkpo ado, afo aben idem mfo akesin,’ that if they have a problem, let them tell us through the Commissioner for Special Duties, who is an indigene there.”

He added, “Before I made that statement, I had already said government had no hand in those factories, so you cannot just be jumping into people’s businesses when they have not invited you.”

Gov Eno insisted that Emmanuel was not in his mind when he made the statement.

“I never ever, standing on this altar of God where I have preached for over 20 years, mentioned or had Udom Emmanuel in mind. It didn’t even connect to him because he is not a shareholder in that business,” he said.

He further stressed: “Let me say this for the last time: I will never have a problem with my predecessor. I have shown, both privately and publicly, the respect I have for Deacon Udom Emmanuel.”

The governor also cited Efik Hymn Book, Hymn 246, to support his explanation that “Unadod” was not a demeaning expression, noting that the word appears in the final stanza of the hymn.

On the memorial, Eno described his late wife as a woman whose influence and legacy would continue to live beyond her death.

“There are some people whose lives cannot be adequately measured by the number of years they have spent with us. Their presence becomes woven into the fabric of our families. Their words become part of our memories; and their works become a legacy that continues to speak long after they have departed,” the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom stated.

He recalled their 40-year marriage as one built on companionship, friendship, love, trust and shared faith.

The Governor also commended his daughter, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, for writing a book about her mother, titled The Patience to Build: Lessons from My Mother, describing it as a record of a woman whose greatest investment was in people, particularly her children and family.

In her remarks, Eno-Obareki described her late mother as a phenomenal heroine whose existence was a blessing to humanity.
Other speakers, including Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakeneyi, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Rehoboth Eno and the governor’s grandchildren, shared memories of the deceased and prayed for the repose of her soul.

In an exhortation, Senior Pastor of GloryWorld International Gospel Centre, Apostle Samuel Effiong, urged Christians to live purposeful lives that would leave lasting memories and positively impact others.

Taking his text from Proverbs 10:7, “The memory of the just is blessed,” Effiong said death should not be the defining measure of a person’s existence, but the choices made and lives touched while on earth.

The service featured special ministrations and the unveiling of The Patience to Build: Lessons from My Mother, written by Eno-Obareki.