When we received our letters to serve in the office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze Ph.D (Nnabuenyi), we anticipated a routine experience. However, on our very first day, Mr. Speaker delivered a prep talk that challenged our expectations. “I love hard work,” he said, and we soon realized he truly embodied this ethos.
Initially, I misjudged him based on my experiences of what hard work interpreted to us in the political sphere, doubting his understanding of hard work. But after 12 months of service to Ndi Anambra, I can confidently say I was mistaken. Mr. Speaker’s dedication is unparalleled.
We work every day, from morning and sometimes through midnight. Sometimes, I assume he is asleep, then will send something in the middle of the night expecting him to see it when he wakes up, but Nnabuenyi will respond and we start the conversation.
Beyond hard work, Mr. Speaker possesses an extraordinary calmness during turbulent times. Despite facing baseless criticism from political opponents, he always remains composed. When I felt compelled to respond to the attacks, he would restrain me, demonstrating his belief in dignity and restraint.
The longstanding issue of Ogwuaniocha opened my eyes to so many things. This issue had been a point of contention in Ogbaru for years, with some political opportunists exploiting it for their gain. In contrast, Rt. Hon. Udeze quietly sought a sustainable path to peace.
One day, he shared with me the background of Ogwuaniocha and tasked me with gathering reports from various ministries. My findings revealed that previous administrations and political actors had done little to address the issue, which was disheartening. Despite my urge to expose this to Ndi Ogbahu, Mr. Speaker insisted on pursuing peace.
In our first meeting with the warring parties, Mr. Speaker made a profound statement: “We shall seek peace, but we must set aside our phones and the media while doing this.”
His respect and authority were evident as all parties complied. These peace talks continued discreetly for weeks and months since his inauguration as the Speaker, with each session building on the last. Through these discussions, everyone contributed recommendations, which Mr. Speaker diligently presented to the Governor.
Governor Soludo, recognizing the importance of peace and driven by solutions, embraced these recommendations and initiated the necessary processes.
Reflecting on this past year, I have witnessed Mr. Speaker’s relentless hard work and calm leadership. His ability to navigate political storms with grace and his unwavering commitment to peace are qualities that inspire and uplift all who serve with him.
