Nigeria: Etiaba, a Pillar of Stability

Former Information minister, Professor Jerry Gana has described the Anambra State deputy governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba as the engine house and silent pillar that held Anambra State together during the political crisis in the state.

This came as the deputy governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, has dedicated the award given to her as the distinguished heroine of democracy in Nigeria by the National Daily Newspaper, the same day Sun Newspapers gave Sun man of the year award, to her boss , His Excellency, the executive governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi also in Lagos.

A press statement signed by the personal assistant to the deputy governor, Mr Emma Mmadu, says Professor Gana made his view known during the National Daily Newspaper's man of the year award 2007 at Victoria Island, Lagos.

He congratulated Etiaba and other awardees and charged them to be steadfast in propagating good leadership of transparency and honesty.

Responding, Dame Etiaba who was honoured as the distinguished Heroine of democracy in Nigeria, expressed gratitude on the honour done her, stressing that as a servant who was called upon by nature to serve Anambra state as the governor, she was proud to dedicate the award to her boss governor Peter Obi and the people of Anambra state.

She called on Anambrarians both at home and in diaspora to give full support to the present administration and remain good ambassadors of Anambra State .

Meanwhile, well meaning citizens of Anambra State have continued to react to the award on Dame Virgy Etiaba, Deputy Governor of Anambra State as the distinguished Heroine of Democracy in Nigeria .

Speaking in his Enugu residence when Etiaba presented the award to him, the national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, expressed gratitude to Dame Etiaba for not betraying the party during her stay as the governor which necessitated the award of good governance on her.

Chief Ojukwu who was the presidential candidate of the APGA during the last presidential election, described her as a good party woman and charged her to use her wealth of experience in enforcing good governance in Anambra State .

Also speaking, the special assistance to Dame Etiaba on general duties, Barrister Kodili Umeh described the award as deserving adding that his boss has continued to exhibit a high sense of maturity and good conscience in the discharge of her duties as the deputy governor.

Chief Azuka Okwosa, a one time commissioner in Anambra State stated that the award on Dame Etiaba has really proved that Anambra State is truly the light of the nation.