The impeachment saga in Anambra. She also explained why she dumped APGA for PDP. Dame went down memory lane to recall the demise of her husband, Justice BMC Etiaba, and how she coped with her children.
But for the gracious healing of God, Dame Etiaba, fondly known as 'Mama Anambra', wouldn't have made history as the first female governor in Nigeria when she became the Governor of Anambra State, from November 2006 to February 2007, reason: she would have been counted among victims of a dreaded disease-cancer.
According to her story, she was diagnosed of cancer of colon in the late 1997 in Enugu, while she also already enjoying her retirement and superintending over the Bennett Etiaba Memorial Schools, in her hometown, Nnewi, a school she established in memory of her departed husband, who left her a widow in 1987 with six children to care for.
She is the first female governor in Nigeria's history. Her instatement came after the impeachment of Mr. Peter Obi, by the Anambra State House of Assembly, for alleged gross misconduct.
The story of battle with cancer was not known to many even while she got active in politics, until we told it herself in her autography lauched last weekend in Abuja, when she, in the company of her children, grandchildren, political associates, top business men, captains of industry and well-wishers gathered at a dinner at the Musa Yar'Adua Centre, to mark her 70th birthday and launch of her autography: My Life; My Story.
Her story about her battle with cancer is a touching piece to read. However, looking at what God has done in her life, and in the life of many through her, one can't but agree with Nigeria's First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who described her as: evidence of a woman in whom the Lord is well pleased...creditably as a woman of honor and enduring values.
She tells her story: "Late in 1997, while I was enjoying my retirement and superintending over Bennett Etiaba Memorial Schools, Nnewi, my health began to fail. I eventually decided to visit, first, Professor P.U Ele of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, who after seeing the result of my tests from Hansa Clinic Enugu, having referred me there, advised that I proceed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, for more elaborate diagnoses after discovering some traces of cancerous cells in my colon.
"At the Teaching Hospital, Enugu, I consulted with the able and renowned Professor Joseph Ojukwu, who confirmed that I had cancer of the colon and advised that I leave immediately for further diagnoses and treatment. I did exactly that.
"Until I was diagnosed as a cancer patient, I had never spent a night in the hospital except for childbearing. The year 1998 was a turning point in my life following my diagnosis for illness everybody dreads, it's name sending people to death just at it mention. It is a very painful, terminal disease.
The diagnosis in Nigeria was confirmed at the King's College London Hospital, early in 1998-it was cancer of the colon indeed!"
This woman of history has every cause to thank God, and also to mark her 70th birthday in style. Reason: some who suffered cancerous illnesses like the Dame, were not as lucky as her, some of those who even went abroad for treatment like she did, didn't returned alive. But in her case, she didn't only return alive, but she returned, made history, and became one of the powerful women in the Nigeria political history.
Perhaps, this was the reason she chose to compel Abuja dwellers to standstill Sunday evening, when she practically held-up motorists heading towards the ever-busy Central Business Area, though Musa Yar'Adua Center in a go-slow.
Right inside the main hall of the event, she was the attraction of every participant, as she was walking round the well decorated hall, smiling and acknowledging cheers from those who came to rejoice with her.
Her humble boys, clad in black suit, their wives also beautifully dressed, her girls and their hubbies, and even her grandkids, were not left out in the epoch making event, as they were busy helping their 70-year-old mum in welcoming guests at the event.
It was one of the days the Etiabas will ever live to always remember. From Bennet to Emeka, to Okenwa and the last boy of the house Echezona, whose birth ushered in the ladies of the house, it was a busy Sunday. Ezinwanne and Chioma were, of course, busier than their elder brothers. The celebrant wasn't tired of given her smiling welcome to her guests as they make their entries into the venue.
Here again, Dame continues her cancer victory story: "According to the consultant, Mr. John Rennie, a world renowned cancer specialist in the colon area, the ailment had gotten to a serious stage that only immediate operation was the answer. I was admitted into a private wing of King's College Hospital London the next day where I was operated on by the surgeon, Mr. Rennie.
"My children, by the grace of God, were there for me, especially those who were living in London then-Bennet, Okenwa and their families. My children deposited the initial £10,000.00 required before the operation could commence within 24 hours.
"As I was being taken down to the operation theatre, what was ringing bells in my mind were pains, tears, and shame, shall not be the last bus stop of my destiny. I shall no more remember my tears and sorrow, disgrace and disappointment in Jesus names.
"I was declaring praying.
Satan you are liar. Pain will not be the last bus stop of my life! You will not write the last chapter of my life because I shall be made to forget the cancerous pains! No matter want is happening, I shall be announced by God, cancer free!
"And so it was after 3 hours of operation by a team of doctors, I came out from the theatre a changed person. Whatever I am today is as a result of the extra years the good Lord has given to me since 1998. That I am alive today is that I have not gotten to my destiny. When God plans! He executes."
Etiaba, who gave detail account of herself, as a mother, teacher, deputy governor and later governor in her book, also explained why she dumped APGA for PDP, stressing that she listened to voices of reason that called into PDP after he had saved APGA from apparent annihilation.
Her words: "The pressure to join PDP was apparent even before I joined partisan politics. Leaders of the party (PDP) who knew that I could mobilize men and women especially in my senatorial zone never ceased to suggest that the PDP was a natural habitat for me. The appeal I testified after the governorship elections of 2003...however, I did not feel that it was right to leave APGA at that point.
"By the time I left the government of Anambra State, it had become obvious that my presence in APGA was discomforting to the very few people who controlled the affairs of the party. They felt the party had become their private property.
"In keeping with my status as a mother and one of who used her position as governor to save the party from apparent annihilation and who had given members of APGA pride of place in the government, I decided to listen to the voices of reason calling from the PDP, although no party in Nigeria is perfect at all times.
"I must mention that PDP was not the only political party that made overtures to me but I decided to join a party that has the capacity to rise above the pursuit of personal interest.
"My declaration for the PDP ably facilitated by His Excellency! Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was heralded by the highest echelon of the party at the party's final Jonathan/Sambo presidential campaign rally at Eagles Square, Abuja in 2011." She said.
Speaking at the event, Dame Jonathan, who was represented by the wife of Vice President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, congratulated Dame Etiaba, on her 70th birthday and the launch of her book, describing her as evidence of a woman in whom the Lord is well pleased.
"We see in the case of Dame Etiaba, evidence of a woman in whom the Lord is well pleased. These include accomplishments expressed in terms of what values you have so obviously added to your life, as well as the lives of virtually everybody who has crossed paths with you.
"In this respect, I recall proudly your achievements as a wife, mother, teacher and politician. In each of these instances, you discharged yourself creditably as a woman of honor and enduring values.
"May I congratulate you therefore, Your Excellency, for your trail-blazing roles as a former deputy governor, and later governor, of Anambra State.
"The impact of your contributions to the improvement of the quality of life of the good people of Anambra State, I can assure you, lingers on.
"The women of Nigeria continue to hold you in a very hit esteem for doing them proud on those platforms, further to that is the fact you successfully confirmed that Nigerian women are well able to discharge themselves creditably in governance, of given increasing opportunities to express themselves." Dame Jonathan said of Dame Etiaba.
Igwe Nnewi, HRM Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, described Dame, as a pride of Anambra people and Nnewi in general. The Monarch said he had to leave his palace to be in Abuja because of the immense contributions of Etiaba to the development of Anambra and Nnewi.
According to Dr.Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, CEO of Ibeto Group of companies, who had his 60th birthday a day before Etiaba's 70th birthday, was full of joy for a woman he described as his mother, for her legacy and hard-work. He simply described as a woman of peace, who wants peace for herself, her family and the state.
Speaking to journalists at the event, the embattled national chairman, of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, said that Dame Etiaba's book gave a vivid account of what transpired within the period of Governor Peter Obi's impeachment and Etiaba's ascendance to becoming the governor of the state.
"The book gave a vivid account of what transpired within the period. It was a trying moment for the party. One thing I can tell you is that Mrs. Etiaba was cooperative. When we submitted her name to be the candidate of APGA in 2006, when nomination was called for by INEC, then Obi was still impeached, when it became apparent that the Court of Appeal will nullify Obi's impeachment, we approached her and she wrote withdrawal letter of her nomination to pace the way for us to substitute her with that of Obi. If not for her, APGA's light would have been extinguished." Umeh said.
Politicians, top business men, captains of industry, her children, grandchildren, political associates and well-wishers gathered to celebrate a woman described by Nigeria's First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as a credible woman of honor and enduring values.
Words from participants at the epoch making event, couldn't express how much the former Governor, has touched lives, as mother, teacher, deputy governor and governor in Anambra State.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Mr. Ben Etiaba, first son of the celebrant, described her mother as a woman of integrity and great humility.
Also speaking, Barr. Emeka Etiaba, second son of the celebrant, described her mother as a mother everybody child would wish and love to have. Both thanked God for granting their mother to celebrate her 70 birthday also given her opportunity to tell her stories, especially as it has to do with her activities as deputy governor and late governor in Anambra State, herself.
The role call of attendants at the event include former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, representative of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, his Woman Affair counterpart, Governor of Akwa Ibom State Barr.
Godswill Akpabio, represented by his Secretary to State Government, Obong Umanah O. Umanah, and Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, also represented by his Secretary to State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was also represented his his Secretary to State Government, comrade O. Macaulay, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, and the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chukwudi Orizu, Justice Gladys Olotu of Federal High Court, Abuja, and Justice Nwodo of Court of Appeal.
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