Stakeholders during the condolence visit on Tuesday.
By Anietie Akpan
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has condoled with the family of to the Special Adviser on Cooperative and Rural Development, Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, over the demise of her son who passed away at 26.
The delegation of stakeholders on the condolence visit on Hon. Ekpenyong at EwerHousing, Tuesday, April 1, was led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas on behalf of Lady Obareki.
In a release from the Media Unit, Office of the First Lady, Lady Obareki encouraged Hon. Ekpenyong and members of her family to remain strong and find consolation in God.
Admitting that words alone are not enough to console them, the First Lady Designate prayed that God would comfort and strengthen the family through their period of grief.
Also speaking, the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Inemesit Uwah, while describing the departure of Emmanuel Ekpenyong as a profound loss, prayed for strength, comfort and solace for the bereaved family at their moment of grief, assuring them of the hope of resurrection.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas (right), consoling the deceased mother, Hon. Alice Ekpenyong.
Responding, the mother of the deceased,Hon. Ekpenyong thanked the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and the female stakeholders in Akwa Ibom for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.
The Special Adviser described the death of her 26 year old son as “painful, at a time I should be reaping the fruits of my labour”, thanking them for the visit and prayers for her and the family, proof that they are not alone, that the Governor, Coordinator of the office of the First Lady and Akwa Ibom Women are with them.
Prayers were offered for the family by the Reverend Utibeno John during the visit which had in attendance the Wife of the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs. Margaret Otong, wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Inemesit Uwah, wife of the former military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Fumni Nkanga.
Others are Member representing Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Itoro Etim, member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Kenim Onofiok, wife of the State Chairman of the People Democratic Party, Mrs Unyime Akpan, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs , Princess Emem Ibanga and Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor.
The late Emmanuel Ekpenyong who died at 26, is to be buried on Thursday, April 3, 2025 after a service to be conducted by the Methodist Church Nigeria, at their country home.