A powerful force for the progress and prosperity of the people, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has a long legacy marked in every corner of the country; when it comes to the needs of his people – from the mountains to the seas and everywhere in between – he is always at the forefront of breakthroughs.
He is a man of the people, a hard-working politician who has no sinister political ambitions beyond serving the people. An independent thinker and a barrier breaker, he is always defending his country to show the world the best of Nigeria.
While he could have made a prominent career as a leader in the “usual’ politics, he instead gravitated to the life of a technocrat, diplomat, and an intellectual force in the country’s arena. His commitment to the cause of development – as an unusual politician and as a diplomat –ultimately brought him to the helms of affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); not just in the current leadership of the Party but also to the stage of being the National Secretary of the largest party in Africa. Indeed, his role is shaping the party into a refined unified stronger opposition party ahead of 2023 general election in Nigeria.
It is no surprise, therefore, that as the PDP National Secretary, he carries on the spirit and ideals of the founding fathers of the party, while bringing his own convictions to bear. Indeed, Senator Anyanwu embodies the true character of PDP- the courage to challenge the opposition parties, not for his own sake, but out of an unwavering commitment to bringing about a better Nigeria in the time ahead.
He is ideally suited for the task ahead. He has modesty of spirit and humility of mind – a mark of true greatness. And yet, despite his deeply held values, he is not by nature a
confrontational politician but devout man of conviction and principle, who is not afraid to stand up to the strong in defence of the weak. He is, simply put, an embodiment of the confident realpolitik himself.
He is true titan, an intellectual centre of excellence. He has emerged as a vibrant player on the political stage of Nigeria and his opponents have remained mired in desperation.
Senator Anyanwu, as the People Democratic Party’s national secretary, is well-respected not only for his razor-sharp intellect and ability to frame solutions, but also for how well he got along with his fellow party men and across ideological spectrum.
He was born on June 18, 1965, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. He earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Political Science, and Masters’ Degree in Political Administration from the University of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State. He is a graduate of both University of Cambridge, Judge Business School and Harvard University Kennedy School.
Prior to his journey in politics, Senator Anyanwu was an astute businessman in the agriculture, oil/gas sectors.
His political career commenced in 1983 as the Secretary of Imo State Youth Organization (IYO).
In 2003, he was appointed the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, where he rose to become the Imo State ALGON Secretary. He emerged as the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA in 2004. He used his tenure to endear himself to the people of Ikeduru and beyond. His landmark achievements in the council included the sinking of boreholes in various communities in Ikeduru and in the council secretariat, construction of the four kilometer Afor Lolo Amaimo road, perimeter fencing of the council secretariat, building of the Chairman’s office, and above all, staff welfare in the council. Perhaps, this is the reason eleven years after he left office as the executive chairman, Senator Anyanwu remains a cult figure in Ikeduru Council.
In 2007, he was elected to represent his people in the Imo State House of Assembly for two tenures. His tenures were laden with achievements which brought fame and fortune to the constituency, sponsoring people oriented bills and motions and attracted projects and government interventions.
Some of his bills included the customary court amendment bill, a bill to domesticate the Consumer Protection Agency in Imo State, a bill for a law to repeal and re-enactment of Registration of Business Premises Law No. 6 of 1988 in Imo State, and co-sponsored the bill for a law to establish ENTRACO and IRROMA. He sponsored a motion to relocate and provide basic infrastructure to traders at the Timber and Allied Market Naze in Owerri North. He was the Chairman of Sensitive Standing Committees in the House like Public Accounts and Commerce and Industry, Vice Chairman, Ethics, Petitions and Privileges, and Member Culture and Tourism among others. He was also the Chairman of Owerri Zone Caucus in the State Assembly.
Equally, he attracted people oriented projects as a State lawmaker, which included, a modern classroom blocks at Ngugo Ikeduru, Nurses Quarters at Amaimo, Borehole at Atta Girls Secondary school and Umumkpehi Okwu, renovated classroom blocks at Akabo and Umuofor Amaimo, etc. He was the first lawmaker in the history of Ikeduru to organize a constituency briefing where he empowered his constituents and gave bursary awards.
In 2015, he was elected the Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District in the 9th Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2015-2019). At the nation’s Red Chamber, he was a giant lawmaker who mesmerized the floor with his warm smile, wisdom, commitment to his constituents, never-stop work ethic, and resolute focus, which have remained guiding principles for generations. He proved to be powerful in the Senate where he sponsored bills and moved motions many of which were intent on making every Nigerians feel belonged in Nigeria.
He was the Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport; Member, Senate Committees on – Science & Technology, Niger Delta, Petroleum Downstream, Media & Publicity, Primary Health & Communicable Diseases, State & Local Governments, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At party politics, his leadership is indispensable in the building a stronger Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and has been a great champion of the party for decades. He is one of the most effective voices for PDP one could have ever imagined. He is a tireless advocate always focused on building for a viable and better future for the party.
Senator Anyawu spends his entire life fighting for his Imo state and the people of Nigeria. Few people have a more positive impact on the people as Senator Anyawu; he lives the values that everyone in public service should strive to uphold: compromise, bipartisanship, and putting people over politics.
It is instructive to note that Senator Anyanwu’s participation in both local and international seminars and workshops further enhanced his capacity to deliver. He was a member of Imo House of Assembly Delegation to Ontario Canada, Israel, USA, UK and South Africa. He was a delegate to World Igbo Congress in Tampa Florida, attended a Legislative Executive relationship seminar at the Obudu Ranch in Cross River, a Senate delegation to Ease of Doing Business Conference in Amsterdam Netherlands, etc.
Currently he is the Chairman, Newview Engineering Nig., Ltd; Chairman, Newseed Communications Ltd.; MD, Sonada Oil Limited; CEO, SamDaddy Investments Ltd. and SamDaddy Farms, Ltd. He continues to be the president of his long standing NGOs: SamDaddy Mustard Seed Foundation and So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E) Foundation both of which are geared to serve the downtrodden with food, skill acquisition, and economic empowerment.
The farmers in Imo State and beyond see him as an inspiration as he provides them with free consultancy services as a proud owner of one of the biggest poultry farms in the State, established 1997. He is the ideal man for civil servants in the State as a result of his regular interventions in their welfare and the relationship he struck with them while a State lawmaker.
His life has been a lesson in humility, hard work, and simplicity. His unassuming and selfless disposition in the midst of conceited and egotistic political elites is remarkable. His celebrated political dexterity, passion, astuteness and great capacity for consensus building are added advantage. The inter-play of these strong factors and his uncompromising faith in God are germane to his unabated successes in the public arena.
He was a governorship aspirant in the 2019 election in Imo State.
It is therefore through his spirit of service that the prestigious Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State chose him for the award Honorary Causa (Doctorate Degree), to treasure his
principles and his aspirations for a better Nigeria.
The traditional rulers and leaders of Mbaise nation conferred on him the revered Mbaise Clan Chief title of “Nwachinemere”.
He is a Christian, is married and they are blessed with children..