The Nigerian Village Square - How Etteh scaled down birthday party in Maryland

How Etteh scaled down birthday party in Maryland

Written by Empowered Newswire

Monday, 20 August 2007

In what turned out to be a low-key event spiced with thanksgiving and prayers, Nigeria's number 4 citizen, Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Ette, Speaker of the House of Representatives marked her 54th birthday in Bowie, Maryland Friday evening explaining that the idea of the party was much of a surprise to her, Empowered Newswire, a US-based Nigerian news agency reports.

Photo Credit: Seyi Oduyela/Saharareporters

Although previous reports quoting some members of the House of Representatives in Nigeria had indicated that the Speaker was not in town for any party but only on medical check-up, the event drew the attendance of the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to the US Ambassador Usman Baraya, Ogun State Assembly Speaker Titi Oseni and several other members of the House of Representatives.

Some of the federal representatives cited at the party included Honorable Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Honorable Festus Adegoke, and Beni Lar, among others totalling about 10 members.

It is believed that the party plans were scaled down considerably after news about how National Assembly were arriving in the US on invitation to the party was broken by Empowered Newswire, a US-based Nigerian news agency. If the party had not been planned before now with the full knowlegde of the speaker, the question persisted, how was it possible to have all the dignitaries present at the event within the short notice of the speaker's physical arrival in the US days ago?

Speaking at the event, Ette donning a simple "Ankara" dress denied making any elaborate plans for the party, adding that it was her family relatives who hosted the event and came up with the surprise party idea. She said she later accepted to play along as it was an opportunity for thanksgiving. She was thankful to those who joined the celebrations, many of whom came with gifts and presents. Nigeria's acting Ambassador to the US also gave her a gift on behalf of the Nigerian embassy in the US.

In her own remarks at the event, the Ogun State Assembly Speaker Oseni described Ette as a friend, sister and mentor, observing that she was honored to be present at the event. Ambassador Baraya on his part noted that Ette was the kind of federal legislator who when she travels out of the country always makes it a point to visit the Nigerian embassy whereever she goes. Baraya said he had always known her and met her at his different diplomatic postings.

Guests and eye witness accounts disclosed that the party was hosted by the Speaker's relative in Maryland, Ms. Tinuke Palmer, a US-based real estate businesswoman, but some aides and assistants of the Speaker were also giving a helping hand at the event, although it was a "serve-yourself-party". Palmer said she had planned the event, which was actually opened to all, as no one was turned back. She said it was also intended to celebrate the Speaker's recent elevation to that high office.

Over 100 cars were counted arriving and departing from the event, which was billed to start around 6pm, and went past midnight on Friday. Eye witness accounts said at a point the street was blocked with cars.

Prayers were said at the party for the speaker that God may give her wisdom to carry out the responsibilities of her office. After the praying, singing and thanksgiving, Ette received gifts from several of the guests.

Earlier reports quoted Ette's assistants claiming that she was visiting the US to give a lecture, while sources close to her family relatives in Maryland said she had been to the hospital for a medical check-up before the party on Friday evening. But no disclosure of the lecture venue, or purpose was however given. The name of the hospital where she had her medical check-up was also not given. But sources close to the Speaker said she undertook some medical tests on Friday and awaiting the results on Monday after which she would be returning to Nigeria. The Speaker was said to have traveled to the US en-route from London

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 In what turned out to bea low-key event spiced with thanksgiving and prayers, Nigeria's n...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 19.08.2007 23:03

villagembr villagembr is offline
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	# 2 It's hard time Nigeria officials knew that they cannot cover up any more at this tech or info age. We are no longer in the era of IBB or Abacha when Tell newsmagazine or Newwatch were confiscated and banned. Whatever dime they spend outside here Nigerians can pay at most nine dollars to obtain the information. It is not like the Freedom of Information bill that they want to kill. Nigeria, we are in a new age. You can run but you cannot hide. Posted by villagembr\| 20.08.2007 08:43

endee endee is offline
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	# 3 what a man can do, a woman can outdo. nonesense! Posted by endee\| 20.08.2007 12:11

Vimo Vimo is offline
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	# 4 "Nigeria's acting Ambassador to the US also gave her a gift on behalf of the Nigerian embassy in the US"/unquote Is it tax-payers money that the Ambassador spent on "Madam speaker's" gift?? The same washington DC embassy that has been unable to repair its passport production machine since the month of July??? The Ambassador is yet to provide funds or solution to a key function of his office, but he has funds to chanel to a birthday party.. Posted by Vimo\| 20.08.2007 13:16

udokaamah udokaamah is offline
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	# 5 Villagers, Can we stop these small minded vituperations. Government officials travel. Deal with it. Why don't we just give these men and women an opportunity to serve. Why don't we just believe and expect the best of them. If we must fight, we are better off choosing our battles carefully. This is a no-issue. Stop. Posted by udokaamah\| 20.08.2007 22:46

Auspicious Auspicious is offline
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	# 6 =udokaamah;201279>Villagers, Can we stop these small minded vituperations. Government officials travel. Deal with it. Why don't we just give these men and women an opportunity to serve. Why don't we just believe and expect the best of them. If we must fight, we are better off choosing our battles carefully. This is a no-issue. Stop. Yeah Whaterver, Udo! There you go again defending the Status-Quo Allow them to serve, My Nyansh! If the Udokamah's amongst us had their way We wouldn't have the nerve to question Etteh Over her plans to have a huge bash in MD With her fellow Carpetbaggers in the NASS. If the Udokamah's amongst us had their way, We wouldn't dare question Hon. Patience Etteh On the N625m renovation cost of her Official Residence. We would simply allow them to junket around We would simply allow them party like Animals We would simply allow them inflate renovation costs! We would simply ALLOW THEM TO SERVE!!!! While people remain Suffering and Smiling. Allow them Serve ko, Allow them Serve Jail-Terms ni! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious\| 21.08.2007 01:38

Just mii Just mii is offline
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	# 7 Quote: Originally Posted by udokaamah Villagers, Can we stop these small minded vituperations. Government officials travel. Deal with it. Why don't we just give these men and women an opportunity to serve. Why don't we just believe and expect the best of them. If we must fight, we are better off choosing our battles carefully. This is a no-issue. Stop. Yeah Whaterver, Udo! There you go again defending the Status-Quo Allow them to serve, My Nyansh! If the Udokamah's amongst us had their way We wouldn't have the nerve to question Etteh Over her plans to have a huge bash in MD With her fellow Carpetbaggers in the NASS. If the Udokamah's amongst us had their way, We wouldn't dare question Hon. Patience Etteh On the N625m renovation cost of her Official Residence. We would simply allow them to junket around We would simply allow them party like Animals We would simply allow them inflate renovation costs! We would simply ALLOW THEM TO SERVE!!!! While people remain Suffering and Smiling. Allow them Serve ko, Allow them Serve Jail-Terms ni! Auspicious. Auspy, Trying to look from udokaamah's view, let's not be too fast into jumping into conclusions! How authentic is the initial news that she wanted to make a big 'bash'? I know we are used to having corrupt leaders but let us not throw the baby away with the bath-water. There isn't any proof she's using our money! Any of us (in NVS) could be there tomorrow and would not appreciate the Press messing with our lives(as they did with Late Princess Diana's life). Posted by Just mii\| 21.08.2007 06:22

tonsoyo tonsoyo is offline
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	# 8 =udokaamah;201279>Villagers, Can we stop these small minded vituperations. Government officials travel. Deal with it. Why don't we just give these men and women an opportunity to serve. Why don't we just believe and expect the best of them. If we must fight, we are better off choosing our battles carefully. This is a no-issue. Stop. Good talk. Instead of admitting writing an unfair report about the woman or just keep quiet, they seek to justify their sensationalism. It is now a problem for a Nigerian public official mark birthdays. Na waa. Posted by tonsoyo\| 21.08.2007 08:45

Auspicious Auspicious is offline
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	# 9 =Just mii;201330>Auspy, Trying to look from udokaamah's view, let's not be too fast into jumping into conclusions! How authentic is the initial news that she wanted to make a big 'bash'? I know we are used to having corrupt leaders but let us not throw the baby away with the bath-water. There isn't any proof she's using our money! Any of us (in NVS) could be there tomorrow and would not appreciate the Press messing with our lives(as they did with Late Princess Diana's life). Hi, Just Mii! Agreed, we shouldn't be too fast jumping into conclusions. I actually thought about that - that it was possible that the initial story was false, hence the need to "fix" the story with "How Etteh's Party was Scaled-Down". But to my utmost disappointment again, I learnt from news reports again yesterday, of a fellow House Representative Member protesting the alleged renovation of Ms. P. Etteh's Official Government Residence in Abuja with over N600 million!!! They are not buying a new house o - they are only RENOVATING with 625 milla!!!! If it's true, God punish am well-well. With this kind of things happening, how can Nigerians "allow her serve" (read: allow her chop) in peace? Alaseju Yeye Asete! Awon alaijoberi tin n wa epo saya! (I too do people! People wey neva chop beta Soup before dey chop am dey Drool for Chest!) As for the press messing with Diana's life while alive, the jury's still out on that o. Diana's, in my view, was a case of the man who rubbed himself with Palm Oyel and walked next to the fireplace. She was a rabble-rouser o'jere. You can't just come in an upset accepted norm in the British Mornachy like that. She was a dangerous woman with an innocent smile. An innocent smile with which she fooled the World ("Oh, she so Sweet and Harmless like a Butt-a-Fly") while she almost wrecked the British Traditional Institution. Poor Charles was married to a beautiful and dangerous Snake! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious\| 21.08.2007 08:55

Auspicious Auspicious is offline
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	# 10 =tonsoyo;201358>Good talk. Instead of admitting writing an unfair report about the woman or just keep quiet, they seek to justify their sensationalism. It is now a problem for a Nigerian public official mark birthdays. Na waa. Abegi o'jare Tonsoyo! Even YOU can't prove that the initial story wasn't the truth. So where do you get off accusing them of sensationalism? Nobody is stopping any Nigerian Public Official from marking their Birthdays, as long as they comport themselves appropriately. What is wrong is to go out of your way to celebrate your (59th) birthday in a manner that displays insensitivity to the reality of Nigerians, with your fellow Reps falling over themselves to get their Visas to be present there as a sign of "loyalty" to Madam Speaker. Once you become a public official, a lot of your 'freedoms' have to be sacrificed. Every move you make is scrutinized and, if found to be wrong, criticized! Why the Tonsoyos amongst us are upset is beyond my understanding. The party might have been scaled-down too o'jare! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious\| 21.08.2007 09:19

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