COURTESY VISIT BY AWLO AKWA IBOM STATE CHAPTER AND PUEM TO HER EXCELLENCY

A BRIEF REPORT ON THE COURTESY VISIT BY AWLO AKWA IBOM STATE CHAPTER AND PUEM TO HER EXCELLENCY, PASTOR (MRS) PATIENCE UMO ENO, THE FIRST LADY OF AKWA IBOM STATE, ON THE 29TH OF SEPTEMBER 2023.

The African Women in Leadership Organization together with the Patience Umo Eno Movement, led by our Founder/Global President of (AWLO) and Chairman/Founder of (PUEM), Dr Elisha Attai , led executive members of the organizations on a courtesy visit to the wife of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, in her office.

It commenced with the national and state anthems, followed by an opening prayer by Mrs Blessing Isonguyo.
The AWLO Director of Protocol- Ofonime Ekpenyong , took on to introduce members of the organizations to Her Excellency.

The Secretary-General and Legal Adviser of AWLO- Barr Mrs Emem Ette have an opening remark congratulating Her Excellency on her assumption into office after. She thanked the First Lady for her enormous support to the organization throughout the past years and said it’s the organization’s turn to support her in her tenure and projects, and prayed God to grant her a successful tenure. She said that PUEM was birthed from AWLO also trusted God to have AWLO churn out more leaders globally.

The President of PUEM- Obonganwan Mary Umanaette gave an address thanking Her Excellency for her time and thanking God for the victory at the polls in spite of the turbulences. She pledged as an organization, to partner with the First Lady to create impact in the state.
Together with the Secretary of PUEM- Chief Magistrate Helen Umana, a congratulatory card, PUEM official uniform and sash were presented to Her Excellency on behalf of the Organization.

Similarly, the Vice President of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of AWLO- Pastor (Mrs) Victory Ebong, in her speech rained praises on the First Lady who is also a Life Patroness of the organization, congratulating her on her strides so far and applauded her on the international award she was honoured with in Chicago-USA, within her first 100days in office. On behalf of the state chapter, she presented a life size portrait of the First Lady to Her Excellency.

Furthermore, the Ikot Ekpene Coordinator of AWLO who equally serves as the treasurer of PUEM- Mrs Emem Ukpong, officially presented her personal pet project to Her Excellency, she shared her vision on promoting education by sharing customized exercise books to school children in her senatorial district district (Ikot Ekpene) emphasizing that she was starting with 5 primary schools in her ward in Ikono local government area, under the umbrella of PUEM.

Dr Elisha Attai, in his speech, congratulated the First Lady and thanked her for her tireless support from the inception of AWLO 13years ago and reiterated that it’s now the organization’s turn to support her in office and in her projects. He proposed an Akwa-Cross synergy and brought greetings from the First Lady of Cross River state who is ready to kick-start the Akwa-Cross Women and Youth summit first, while Akwa Ibom state will host the second phase. He urged the organizations to fully support Her Excellency in prayers, spiritually, physically and otherwise, not only when her project is launched but in her entire endeavours.

In addition, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters – Miss Linda Akon Umoh, who is a strong member of PUEM, spoke on her international coordination of the diaspora to support the sitting Governor- Pastor Umo Eno, during the polls and pledged same unlimited support throughout his tenure. She eulogized the first lady, making known that she was called the “Michelle Obama of Akwa Ibom State” in the diaspora due to her strength and support during the polls and promised to fully support her all the way.

In her response, the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State- Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno, expressed her happiness to have the organizations visit her and was delighted to belong to AWLO as well as PUEM. She shared her journey through AWLO since her induction till date and was genuinely pleased by the way the organization runs its affairs and events globally.

Her Excellency celebrated the founder of the organizations, buttressed on his abilities to harness potentials to creat impact. She expressed the value she places on both organizations since one emerged from the other and by extension, to any further emergence from the group.

The First Lady urged the members of the organization to be respectful, orderly and organized on all their endeavours and emphasized that AWLO is her family which makes her comfortable to work with and should remain so.

Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno thanked the entire organizations for their enormous support, prayers, love and gifts. She showered prayers and blessings on all the executives and members and prayed for success in all endeavours.

The visit was indeed a great family gathering as the impact of the warmth, hospitality, simplicity and cheerfulness of Her Excellency was greatly felt. It ended in utmost praise to God almighty with a closing prayer by Mrs Eno Udoka and the rendition of the national anthem.

Thank you sincerely

Ofonime Ekpenyong
Director of Protocol
AWLO