Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has open up on his deepest regret since he assumed office in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, the governor said that no achievement in office could outweigh the pain of losing his wife while still in service.

Daily Trust reports that Patience Umo Eno, the governor’s wife died on September 26, 2024, after a brief illness.

Until her death, she served as the state’s First Lady, championing charitable causes and supporting programmes that catered to women and children.

Her passing drew widespread tributes across Akwa Ibom, with political leaders, clerics, and citizens mourning a woman many described as compassionate and humble.

For Eno, however, the loss was not just public but deeply personal.

In the interview, he said, “It’s painful. I wish she was here with me right now. Sometimes it’s tough,” he said, reflecting on the void her absence has left in his life and work.

Despite the grief, Eno highlighted what he considers his most fulfilling achievements.

He said building emotional connections with the people and carrying out projects that directly impact rural communities have been very dear to him.

“Two projects stand clearly for me. We have the Arise Compassionate Homes for indigent people. You need to see where these people used to live before now. And then now they can have a place they call home. We’re doing 500 of such homes across the state, one in each ward, and we’ve done 267 so far,” he said.

He further spoke about his administration’s efforts to empower young people through entrepreneurship.

He said he would draw from his own business background to prioritise training and the provision of tools for self-reliance.

“This is how to stimulate the economy, training entrepreneurs and giving a helping hand to these young men and women. Those two projects strike me seriously,” he added. (Daily Trust)