first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, clocked 70 years on Thursday, August 17, 2023, and she was celebrated her former parliamentary colleagues, family members and friends.
Aside from being a politician, Etteh is also a lawyer, who got her degree from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016. She eventually became the 10th Speaker of the House from June 6, 2007 to October 30, 2007.
She represented Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole Federal Constituency of Osun State, and first got into the National Assembly in 1999.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the current Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, noted that though several women had been in the House and had shown their leadership skills over the years, Etteh remained one of the finest lawmakers the House had ever produced.
He added, “I congratulate Honourable Etteh on her 70th birthday and wish her more prosperous years ahead in good health and sound mind.”
Former presiding officers of the National Assembly also felicitated the ex-Speaker. In an advertorial published on Thursday, they wrote, “We rejoice with and celebrate our leader, sister and colleague, Patricia Olubunmi, CFR, on this auspicious occasion of your 70th birthday.
“You are indeed a royal diadem, rare gem, a leader with a heart of gold, and an epitome of humility.
“You shattered the glass ceiling and scaled barriers that limited women in Nigeria for ages when you emerged as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. As a trailblazer and pathfinder, history will be kind to you and may your efforts continue to impact and inspire generations of women who aspire generations of women who aspire to reach the zenith of their professions.
We pray for more grace, prosperity, sound health and even greater wisdom for you in years to come.”
Some of the signatories to the advert were former Senate Presidents— Iyorchia Ayu, Adolphus Wabara, Pius Anyim, Ken Nnamani, Bukola Saraki, David Mark and Ahmad Lawan; and former Speakers— Femi Gbajabiamila, Ghali Na’Abba, Aminu Masari, Oladimeji Bankole, Aminu Tambuwal, and Yakubu Dogara.
On his part, an All Progressives Congress chieftain in Osun State, Rotimi Makinde, who represented the Ife Federal Constituency of the lower chamber in the seventh Assembly, released a statement describing Etteh as one of the pillars of democracy, who had paid her dues in inspiring and mentoring women politically.
The statement read in part, “I congratulate you (Etteh) most respectfully on this landmark birthday celebration. I am truly proud of you and the leadership you have provided over the years, taking decisions that are beneficial to the people and fighting th
e people and fighting the cause of women across the entire country. You are undoubtedly a woman that found favour from God.”
