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
