MATERNAL CARE: Immortalizing Patience Umo Eno

By Aniekan Umanah

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The sun shone gently over Ekom Iman, a part of Uyo the capital of Akwa Ibom State, casting a golden glow on the walls of a building at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital now etched into history. It is the Patience Umo Eno Antenatal Complex, a creation that is not merely another hospital wing or another ribbon cut at an event, but a tribute, a song of remembrance, a sanctuary for the lives she once prayed for and saved, now nurtured.

I followed as words of honor and gratitude filled the air, beautifully spoken and elegantly draped in reverence. Yet, beyond the pomp and ceremony, my gaze lingered on Governor Umo Eno. His face was composed, but his silence spoke volumes. Each time the name “Patience” was uttered, I imagined the memories, the love, the loss unraveling in his mind. And in true pastoral grace, he remained the Governor he is, carrying his duty with dignity and leading with the strength she always believed he had.

And perhaps, from the balcony of heaven, Patience Umo Eno watched too. Perhaps she smiled as the walls rose, as the doors opened, as expectant mothers stepped in. Her legacy has become a refuge for many, a place where weary mothers find rest and where hope outlives sorrow.

In a profound gesture of honour and remembrance, the Government, in collaboration with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), has immortalized the legacy of the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, by building and commissioning the Patience Umo Eno Antenatal Complex. This milestone not only celebrates her life of service but also underscores the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare in the state.

The commissioning ceremony was a moment of deep emotion and pride as Governor Umo Eno unveiled the state-of-the-art antenatal facility. Speaking at the event, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to UUTH for naming the facility after his late wife, acknowledging her lifelong dedication to humanitarian work and maternal health through her NGO, Golden Initiative for All (GIFA). “This facility stands as a testament to the selfless contributions of my beloved wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno,” the Governor said. “She was passionate about uplifting the lives of women and children, and this antenatal complex will continue her vision of ensuring quality healthcare for expectant mothers in Akwa Ibom State.”

UUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, provided an overview of the facility, highlighting the vital role the complex will play in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. Designed to offer world-class care for pregnant women,
from prenatal consultations to delivery and postnatal care, the centre features private rooms for personalized maternal care, consulting rooms for expert medical consultation, a call room that ensures round-the-clock emergency response, a pharmacy unit providing essential medications and supplements, a family planning unit offering counseling and reproductive health services, and a family records unit that maintains medical histories for efficient follow-ups. Prof. Bassey noted that the decision to name the facility after the late First Lady was inspired by her tireless efforts in advocating for women’s health and well-being.

The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Eno- Obareki, also commended UUTH for recognizing Pastor Patience Eno’s impact, vowing to continue her mother’s humanitarian work through GIFA. The event further acknowledged Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, the Governor’s personal physician, for his significant role in ensuring the facility’s completion and equipping it with modern amenities.

Pastor Patience Umo Eno was more than the wife of the Governor; she was a leader, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. Born in 1967 in Ibadan, she demonstrated leadership early in life and later built a successful career in both business and ministry. As the founder of Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), she dedicated herself to supporting vulnerable women and children. She played a key role in the Royalty Group’s hospitality business and actively promoted entrepreneurship and community service. Her commitment to humanitarian work earned her numerous accolades, including the Phoebe Award and the Beacon of Hope Business Community Award. Moreover, her famous “Golden Boy” mantra was instrumental in supporting her husband’s political journey, paving the way for his emergence as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The Patience Umo Eno Antenatal Complex is more than just bricks and mortar, lit is a lasting monument to a woman who dedicated her life to uplifting others. Every expectant mother who walks through its doors will receive care rooted in the values she held dear: compassion, excellence, and an unwavering love for humanity. And though her voice may no longer echo in these halls, love has a way of never leaving. It lingers in every heartbeat, in every child saved, in every mother’s grateful prayer. Yes, Patience Eno rejoices still ,not in the silence of the past, but in the living, breathing future of those who will walk through these doors.