By Ikenna ONUOHA, Mnipr
Few leaders are born, some learnt leadership while others accepted leadership; but in all, a good leader is always charismatic, cool headed, calm, non temperamental and passionate about his environment and the people around him.
Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, known as “Samdaddy” 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 the lives of the people started when this young Amaimo Ikeduru born political scientist, strategist and maverick was elected 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. 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 of representing 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 project, 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, as fondly called 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.
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.
As a strong voice which he promised the people of Owerri Senatorial District, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu despite being a first timer at the Senate has to his credit several people oriented bills and motions.
Excepts of those bills is a bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission which was finally passed and the upgrading of Alvan Ikoku Federal Collage of Education to a Federal University of Education.
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. Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu also sponsored a Bill for the restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
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.
On his promise to attract projects, a tour round Owerri Senatorial District before and at present, two 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 for his 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 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that “Agwo no’ na Akirika” meaning, the dog is in the menger.
As much as no one stops on the road till he reaches his destination, Nigeria, South East, Imo State and Owerri Zone need the salvaging hands and expertise of Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu especially as Imo ranks high in debt profile, high rate of unemployment, lack of basic social amenities, insecurity and blood spillage on a daily bases.
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 a 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.
On his ability or rather capacity to deliver, an Igbo proverbs say, “Mmadu oga egbu agu ole tupu o zaa ogbu agu?” meaning “How many lions can one kill before answering the killer of Lion?”, Senator Samdaddy is ever ready and development packed to turn things around.
It is clear even to critics that Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu did it as the executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, as a House member for Ikeduru State Constituency, he delivered far more than he promised and as a Senator, not minding the fact that he was a first timer, his performance became a celebrated defeat for his challengers and the glorification of his followers.
The sacred scripture confirms that he who is faithful in small things will as well be faithful in great things, a saying which is synonymous with the life and character of Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu. It is a fact that his achievements over the years will serve as a springboard for more sterling performances.
In him, there is truly a realistic future for the less privileged, the down trodden and the entire society. The time to get started is to begin to support Senator Samdaddy.
By so doing, we shall be expecting Imo of our collective dreams!
