WHEN MY MOTHER BECAME GOVERNOR, I WAS STILL LIVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE FACT THAT SHE WAS GOVERNOR DID NOT BRING ME BACK TO NIGERIA FROM THE UK. I RETURNED TO NIGERIA AFTER HER TENURE AS GOVERNOR AND AFTER SHE HANDED OVER- BEN ETIABA(FIRST SON OF FORMER GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE, VIRGY ETIABA). (PHOTO).

 When my mother became governor, I was still living in the United Kingdom. The fact that she was governor did not bring me back to Nigeria from the UK. I returned to Nigeria after her tenure as governor and after she handed over- Ben Etiaba(First Son of Former Governor of Anambra state, Virgy Etiaba)

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chief Ben Etiaba, is the first son of former Anambra State governor Dame Virgy Etiaba. In this chat with FRED IWENJORA, Ben Etiaba discussed the challenges of being a governor's(Former)son 

He also shed more light into the life and character of his mother, Dame Virgy Etiaba also fondly known as Mama Anambra, whose widowhood at 43 years of age later transformed into a great public figure in Nigeria, raising a young family of four sons and two daughters and now, Matriarch of 27 including six spouses and 14 grandchildren.

"When my mother became governor, I was still living in the United Kingdom. The fact that she was governor did not bring me back to Nigeria from the UK. I returned to Nigeria after her tenure as governor and after she handed over to Mr. Peter Obi"

"She was always a mother to us, a mother in government and her role in politics gave her the appellation Mama Anambra. We as her children and family did not give her that name. Ndi Anambra who actually witnessed her motherly leadership disposition gave her that name. She was a widow and not expected to rise beyond what traditionally in Africa was expected of widows. I believe it was an act of God. Again I believe destiny played its role. She being a child of destiny was nominated as Deputy to Mr. Peter Obi."

Chief Ben Etiaba revealed that his mother was a teacher before she even came into politics and that the teaching helped in modelling her character and becoming the virtuous woman that he described her to be.

"My mother was a teacher and if you know teachers of old, you should expect certain values and virtues to be found in all their dealings in life. My mother has remained a virtuous woman in all the years I have known her. She was 20 heading to 21 when she had me so you can understand what I am saying"

Chief Ben who is former two-term Chairman of ICAN, United Kingdom and District Societies; Chairman of Nnewi Community Association, Great Britain and Ireland, revealed that was still a young boy in his early twenties when he lost his father, but now he is very proud a first son so see his siblings doing well in their different endeavors 

"I was 23 heading to 24 when my father died. I can most happily say today, I have risen to the pinnacle of my profession as a Fellow of ICAN, my two brothers are at the height of the legal profession as SANs. I have a brother who is based in England and doing very well as a Publisher. One of my sisters is with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the baby of the house is an AGM at Fidelity Bank. The two ladies are married to lawyers."