By EMMA MADU, ANHA, Awka
Rt. Hon. Sir Somtochukwu Nkemakonam Udeze was born in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria on the 6th day of October, 1972 into the family of Late Rev. Patrick and Late Mrs. Clara Udeze of the blessed memory.
Rt. Hon. Udeze could be described as a focused and determined person who believes that with God and human efforts, quality life is obtainable. His love for mankind and progress of the people propelled him to always seek avenues to render service to God and humanity. Today, to the glory of God, he is a renowned politician, philanthropist, human resource manager, community leader, role model, motivator, benefactor, care giver and above all, a devout Christian. He is the Managing Director, Sozen Global Concern Ltd.
Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has a sound academic background. He started his academic pursuit at the UPE Mile 2 Oji-River Primary School, Oji-River where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and later proceeded to the famous Denis Memorial Grammar School ( DMGS) Onitsha and finished at Aguata High School, Ekwulobia, from where he got his West African School Certificate (WASC). His quest for Higher Education took him to different Tertiary Institutions. He holds the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Crop Production Technology from Akperan Orshi Collage of Agriculture, Yandev. Gboko, Benue State. After his National Youth Service Corps programme in Jigawa State, he pursued his Post Graduate Studies, first at the University of Calabar were he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Management and also a Master`s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the same University.
As a lover of education, Rt. Hon. Udeze also went to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam from where he got a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Agric Economics & Extension and also a Master`s Degree in same Agric Economics and Extension. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in the same Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam. He is a former Governing Council Member of Tansian University Umunya.
In politics, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze is outstanding in view of what his people have continued to gain from his political career. In 2015, the people of Ogbaru two constituency elected him to represent them in the State House of Assembly. Again, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze was re-elected in 2019 due largely to his legendary performance. Appreciative of his numerous achievements, his people decided to re-elect him for the third time during the House of Assembly election on the 25th March, 2023.
Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has performed exceedingly well in terms of giving quality representation to his Ogbaru two constituents. He did a lot of constituency Projects in various communities, empowered many people in education and skills, secured employments for a lot of Ogbaru people, attracted many government presence to the area and did a lot of people-oriented and development-driven Bills and Motions. It is on record that Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has written his name in the letters of Gold in the history of Legislature in Nigeria by being among those few lawmakers that sponsored Private Member Bills. He sponsored the Riverine Areas Development Commission Bill, 2020. The Bill seeks to address the challenges facing those who live in the riverine areas in the State especially his people of Ogbaru Local Government Area.
In community affairs, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze is not found wanting. He is a man of the people. He has contributed immensely to the development of his community Atani and indeed the entire Ogbaru Local Government Area at large. He is greatly loved by his people.
Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has an impressive religious background, being a son of an Anglican Priest (Nwa Ukochukwu). He is a knight of Saint Christopher (KSC). He has continued to contribute immensely to the growth and development of the Churches in his area without discrimination.
Members of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly must have given due consideration to the Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze`s sterling personality, remarkable achievements, noble character and leadership prowess which made them to unanimously elect him as the Speaker on 12th June, 2023. There is no doubt that the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly under the watch of Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze as the Speaker will perform creditably with the full support of Ndi Anambra. He promises to lead with the fear of God and also assures to run an open door legislative administration where everybody will be carried along.
The Speaker of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, by the grace of God, is married to Lady Chinyere with children. To God be the glory.
