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Former Anambra Assembly Speaker dies at 61

A former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Anayo Nnebe, has died at age of 61 years, after a brief illness in a federal government hospital in Anambra.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death of Nnebe, also a former Federal legislator, was disclosed by an anonymous family member in Awka on Wednesday.
Nnebe served as Speaker of Anambra State Assembly between 2011 and 2015.
In 2015, he was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Awka North and South Federal Constituency.
Born in 1963, the late Nnebe hailed from Umuokpu – Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra.
Nnebe grew up in Awka, where he also attended basic school.
He obtained his West African Senior Certificate (WASC) in 1981 from Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1987.
He is survived by his wife, Ngozi, and five children.
In 2018, Nnebe defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Eulogizing his predecessor, the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, described the death of the former Speaker as a great loss to the State.
Udeze described him as an accomplished parliamentarian and a refined political guru.
He said that Nnebe distinguished himself as a renowned public servant and selfless politician in view of his numerous accomplishments.
Udeze recounted some of the achievements of the late Nnebe to include the construction of numerous constituency projects, securing employment opportunities and the provision of empowerment schemes for his constituents.
He said Nnebe did lots of humanitarian work among others during his time as Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Member of the House of Representatives.
Udeze lauded Nnebe’s legislative prowess and urged present legislators to emulate his foot print as a way to immortalise him.
He described the late Speaker as a grassroot politician, philanthropist, devout Christian and community leader who started out as Secretary to the Government of Awka South Local Government Area.
He was also Special Adviser to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on State Assembly and National Assembly Matters.
“I have a huge satisfaction that Nnebe made giant contributions to the development of his home town, Awka, and Anambra State at large,” he said
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“Go and Verify”: How Sunday Umeha Is Redefining Representation in Ezeagu/Udi
Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.
Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.
Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.
From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.
Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.
Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.
He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.
Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.
Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.
Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.
Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.
However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.
Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.
For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.
And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:
“He promised, and he delivered.”
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