Virginia Etiaba
Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba CON (born 11 November 1942) is a Nigerian politician who served as Governor of Anambra State, a state in South-Eastern Nigeria, from November 2006 to February 2007. Etiaba was the first woman to serve as governor of a Nigerian state.[1]
Virginia Etiaba | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Anambra State | |
| In office 2 November 2006 – 9 February 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Obi |
| Succeeded by | Peter Obi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Virginia Ngozi Etiaba 11 November 1942 Nnewi, Anambra state |
She was instated as the previous governor, Peter Obi, was impeached by the state legislature for alleged gross misconduct. She transferred her powers back to Obi three months later when an appeal court nullified the impeachment.
Biography
Etiaba is a native of Nnewi in Anambra state. She was raised by her uncle Chief Pius Ejimbe from secondary school in Kano Nigeria,this was followed by her teachers training programme in Gombe State.[2]she married the Late Be innnet Etiaba of Umudim Nnewi.[1]
For 35 years she worked as a teacher and headed several schools in Kafanchan, Aba, Port Harcourt, and Nnewi. She retired from the services of the Anambra State Government in 1991 and founded the Bennet Etiaba Memorial Schools, Nnewi, of which she was the proprietress. In March 2006 she resigned to assume the position of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State.[3][4]
Personal life
Etiaba married the late Bennet Etiaba of Umudim Nnewi in 1998.[1]
The two lived happily for 24 years until he died. She has six children. Apart from being the first female governor in Nigeria's history, she is also a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in Nigeria. It was confirmed at King's College London Hospital, Denmark Hill, South East London in 1998.[1][5]
References
- Udodiong, Inemesit (2019-03-12). "Meet Virginia Etiaba, the first female governor in Nigeria who lasted only three months in office". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- "Shankland, Sir Thomas (Murray), (25 Aug. 1905–13 Oct. 1986), JP; Deputy-Governor, Western Region, Nigeria, 1954–57; retired; Chairman, London Board of Public Service Commission, Western Region, Nigeria, 1957–61", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2007-12-01, retrieved 2022-08-25
- Azikiwe, Ifeoha (2013). Nigeria: Echoes of a Century: Volume Two 1999-2014. p. 159. ISBN 9781481729291. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- "Virgy Etiaba @ 80 : Soludo Lauds Her Contributions To Anambra State". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- Online, Tribune (2020-11-11). "Buhari greets Nigeria's first female governor, Virgy Etiaba, at 78". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-02-20.