Samdaddy & the Journey of 59th Birthday

By Ikenna ONUOHA, Mnipr

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, friends, colleagues, fans, supporters and most especially, PDP members in Imo state will join millions of Nigerians to celebrate a political maverick, an accomplished gentleman, a vocal voice against corruption and a known good governance advocate, Dist. Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as he observes a superlative 59th birthday.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popularly known by his political admirers as "Samdaddy" is a known face in the Nigeria's political landscape. He came to political limelight in 1999 immediately after democracy was restored.

A widely cited postulation asserts that, “few leaders are born, some learnt leadership while others accepted leadership”, but in all, a good leader is always charismatic, cool headed and passionate about human lives.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as a good leader has an innate capacity to effectively manage and lead groups of people to achieve collective goals. Instead of learning to become an effective leader, he has the instinctive ability to inspire others and encourage them to follow his vision which is aimed at developing the society, helping the poor and restoring lost hope to the downtrodden.

Anyanwu is a firebrand politician who has contributed immensely in salvaging, Owerri Zone, Imo state and South East both in part and in whole. 

His moves to effect a pragmatic change in people's lives can be said to have started when this young Amaimo Ikeduru born political scientist was elected as the Secretary General of Imo State Youths Organization (IYO) around 1983. 

As the chief scribe of the umbrella body of Imo youths, he naturally became schooled in the life and character of the youths and was as well, exposed to the many challenges facing the youths of Imo State. 

As a charismatic leader with the interest of the people at heart, the youthful Samuel Anyanwu bestowed upon himself, the great burden of ameliorating the sorrow state of Imo youths.

When he was appointed the Transition Commitee Chairman of Ikeduru LGA in 2003, Samuel Anyanwu used the short period of his tenure to convince his people of Ikeduru LGA that he is ready and well prepared to effect a positive change in their lives if he was given future positions. This conviction was instrumental to his victory at the Local Government Council election of 2004 where he emerged winner.

In 2007, Samuel Anyanwu got a higher responsibility to represent the people of Ikeduru in the Imo State House of Assembly, a mandate that was renewed in 2011 due to his track record of achievements. 

It is on the record that as soon as he assumed duties at the State House of Assembly, Samuel Anyanwu manifested his campaign slogan "Action" into a concretized program by fulfilling step by step, his campaign promises of poverty reduction through youth and women empowerment and constituency projects; a move through which he salvaged Ikeduru State Constituency in particular and the state at large.

After a wonderful and result oriented representation of Ikeduru at the State Assembly, Samuel Anyanwu got the mandate to represent Owerri Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate. A position that offered him great opportunity to broaden the horizon of empowerment carnival.

Convincingly, Senator Samdaddy proved to both friends and foes that he is, and still always be the man for the job. He demystified the Nigerian Senate and brought the dividends of democracy to the people of Owerri Senatorial District and the entire South East geopolitical zone just as he did for Ikeduru State Constituency. A record that has not been beaten in the last eight years.

His tripod campaign promise of being a strong voice, youth and women empowerment and attraction of projects to Owerri zone was simultaneously dealt with. Today, most of his major signature structures and projects littered around every nook and crannies of the Senatorial District are quite testimonial and legendary.

Most worthy to note, in November 11, 2023, a great number of Imo people came out en masse to cast their vote for him in line with the vision of development to be their Governor. Regrettably, this genuine efforts of Imo people to offer effective and efficient governance in the state was distracted with minor stud after the electoral umpire and conniviance with the ruling party allegedly stole the mandate.

At the Senate and as a strong voice he promised the people of Owerri Senatorial District,  Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu despite being a first timer has to his credit several people oriented bills and motions. 

These bills, no doubt became beacon of hope to the entire South East targeted at creating flurry of job opportunities to the region and as well, position the zone towards a radical infrastructural revolution. 

On his promise of youths and women empowerment, Senator Samdaddy rattled both his friends and foes by facilitating the employment of graduates from Owerri zone and the South East into federal ministries, Agencies, Parastatals thereby giving them a life and pensionable jobs.

He unpretentiously effected the admission of students from Imo state into Federal Tertiary Institutions. Thousands of his constituents were not just trained in different skills, but were also empowered and mobilized with start up funds.

His promise to attract projects; a short investigative tour round Owerri Senatorial District before and at present, some years after he left office will convince even an enemy worse than the devil that Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu has actually salvaged the people of Owerri Senatorial District just as he did in Ikeduru State Constituency.

Presently serving as National Secretary of the main opposition party (PDP) and the largest political party in the entire West Africa, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu has sagaciously teamed up with his colleagues to hit the ground running. 

No wonder their achievements within the short period they assumed office has sent signals to the the public that better days are ahead.

Imo and the South East need

a truly, experienced and committed Political Scientist with knack in Administration that is capable of placing the zone and the state on a sound political cum scientific diagnosis with verifiable lasting solutions to strike an action.

Currently, Imo state and the South East zone  require credible person with the Midas touch to practically effect the needed changes that will put the society in proper perspective and on a high pedestal of development.