By Emmanuel Uffot
For the people of the serene Abiakana village in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Wednesday December 14, 2022 will remain indelible in thier memory as the community turned a Mecca of sort when Governor Udom Emmanuel led his wife Martha, the PDP Governorship Candidate in the state Pastor Umo Eno, State Executive Council members, PDP Chieftains and who is who in Akwa Ibom politics to the funeral of the mother of the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barrister Uwemedimo Nwoko, late Deconess Mrs Eno Nwoko.
In his condolence message on behalf of the Government and people of the state,the Governor stated that the state has benefitted immensely from the patriotic service and ingenuity of members of Nwoko family specifically Barrister Uwemedimo Nwoko ( SAN). He attributed the goodness exhibited by the former Attorney General while working with him to the ideals and ingenuity of the family. He added that he was pleased to be present to bid the mother of the former Attorney General a deserved farewell.
Governor Emmanuel who used the occasion to present the PDP candidate Pastor Umo Eno as one whom he desire to succeed him, urged the people to embrace him as the next in line to succeed him. He promised the people of the area that soon all the adjoining Local Government Areas of Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ukanafun and Oruk Anam would be connected to the national grid for constant electricity supply on completion of the ongoing work at Etim Ekpo Power Sub- Station. ” I want to commission that Power Sub- Station before I leave office”.
Speaking on behalf of Nwoko family, Pastor Imeobong Nwoko thanked God for his grace and mercies throughout the period of their grieve. He equally extended gratitude of the family to Governor Emmanuel, the PDP, leaders of Ika and all those that stood with them till the time of the burial of their mother.
In his tribute to his mum, Barrister Nwoko ( SAN) said he find it difficult to describe his late mother in one word. He said she was a mentor, a kind and generous person not only to her children, but to the entire village. Most importantly, the learned Silk who is the second son said her mother was one who showed them the way and molded them to be what they have been today. “She was the epitome of our success “.The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said her exit could be described as the end of an era in Nwoko family, but stressed his gratitude to God for putting them in a position to give her a beffiting burial.” She was a great woman, a kind woman who touched the life of many people in the community. My mother is epitome of the blessings we have today.Produce myself as the Attorney General and a life bencher. Altogether three lawyers and an Engineer in the family of six males and one female and also a lawyer grand daughter. We are happy that virtually everything we have achieved she was a pivot to such achievement. I am also grateful to God for my achievements because without God, it would not have been possible”.
Nwoko was also full of praise for the Governor for despite his tight schedule he found the time and space to come with his wife and almost his entire executive. He said this showed the regard he has for the family and to reciprocate the contribution of the family through him in governance.
It could be recalled that the last major outing of late Deconess Eno Nwoko then 80 years was during the thanks giving service initiated by Barrister Nwoko in 2020 for his elevation to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a year he was instituted as a life bencher. The first Nigeria to get such professional honours in one year.
That service which took place at Four Square Gospel Church Afaha Ube, Itam also had Governor Emmanuel and his deputy Mr Moses Ekpo in attendance.
At that occasion, the late Deconess Eno Nwoko was a fulfilled woman seeing his second son Barrister Nwoko ( SAN) and her 4th Son Engineer Ime Nwoko celebrate their elevation to SAN and 50th birthday respectively on the same day.
Deconness Eno Nwoko died at age 82.
It is note worthy that over the years, Barrister Uwemedimo Nwoko has wormed himself to the Government of Akwa Ibom State through efective legal representatives.
For instance, when the victory of Governor Emmanuel was challenged by the then APC candidate Nsima Ekere at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, he was in the legal team that handled the case till eventual victory at upper court. He was also counsel to the PDP Ad- Hoc delegates for the party primaries which was instituted by an aggrieved PDP member, a former House of Assembly member. He won the case together with PDP.
Again he is in the legal team of PDP and the Governorship Candidate whose candidacy is equally challenged by Akan Okon, a former Commissioner and Governorship aspirant who is alleging that Umo Eno forged his certificate. The case is currently at the Appeal Court after a Federal High Court in Uyo presided by Justice Agatha Okeke dismissed the plaintiff ( Akan Okon) case for lack of merit and awarded N15 million fine against him.
