Five years after serving as the first female speaker of the House of Representatives for a few months, Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, the disgraced former speaker of the House of Representatives, no doubt, one of the major casualties of Nigeria’s stuttering democracy.
The beautician-turned-politician had become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in June 2007. It was the first time a woman would be the Speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly. But less than three months into her tenure, she was accused of authorising a whopping N628 million for the renovation of her official residence and that of her deputy, as well as the purchase of 12 official cars meant for the House.
While the scandalous issue lasted, Etteh came under serious critics and condemnation. It was at this period some referred to her as a mere hairdresser who should not have occupied such a coveted seat. As if it was true or for reasons best known to her, Etteh, upon leaving office decided to upgrade her academic status and she enrolled to study Law at the Buckingham University, United Kingdom.
Since she quit public glare and became less active in partisan politics, she had used the opportunity to study so she could be armed against who see her as an illiterate.
The thrust of the piece really is that her determination to upgrade her educational status has eventually paid off as the woman is at last through with her studies and became qualified lawyer. Honourable Olubunmi Etteh, few days ago graduated from the Buckingham University and she has since been in happy mood as congratulatory messages have been pouring in from family, friends, associates.