February 19, 2022

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim is gradually warming his way to the enviable list of Nigerians with unforgettable feats. Born in a far flung rural community of Ishiagu in Ebonyi state, Anyim’s humble background never revealed any inkling  of a man destined for greatness. Perhaps his ability to surmount the obvious limited opportunities available early in life ought to have given out the uniqueness of his character.

He was never exposed to visibility of urban environment and therefore was denied the benefits of early civilisations, ingredients that would otherwise have shaped his meteoric rise to fame. He lived, all through a community based life style, passing through a local community primary school to a local community secondary education.

He would not have competed for admission into Ivy Universities, not for lack of intellectual prowess but obviously for lack of opportunities to do so. Yet he was never deterred by such simple backgrounds, as he still emerged a reference point today in Nigeria. He may not have been announced by his academic feats, though he read law to Master degree level but that is not the distinguishing factor of his life. His staying feats that appear to have enlisted him into the famous Hall of the Unforgettables in Nigeria today is simply the way he used powers bestowed on him to the benefit and admiration of majority of humanity. At a very youthful age of 39 years, he was elected a senator, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone.

At the age of 40 years, he became perhaps, the first ever youngest president of the Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria. He was later as well to become the first non-career civil servant to occupy the office of the secretary to government of the federation, (SGF). The performances and the successes he achieved in those offices, however seem to have left behind an indelible footprint in the sand of his time.

While many will like him and some may even  loath him but no one can reasonably argue against the fact that Anyim brought immense wealth and even political stability to bear in the leadership of the Nigerian Senate while piloting its affairs as a president. Again records still judge him correct as the one who brought so much flavour and dexterity in the management of the administration organ of the executive arms of government as SGF. So much was his impact in power that eminent Nigerians had described him in superlative languages in 2021 when he celebrated his 60th birthday.

VOX POPULI ON ANYIM

*Sen. Micheal Ama Nnachi* Senator Nnachi represents Ebonyi South Senatorial district, Anyim’s senatorial zone in theNigerian Senate. He spoke about Anyim saying, “If you’ve ever visited Ishiagu, Anyim’s home town before, you’ll know between his reign and now what he has made up of Ishiagu as a community. So, he’s a very great man.

*Hon. Livinus Makwe* the House of Representatives member representing Anyim’s federal Constituency too has this to say about Anyim: “He is a philanthropist to the core, generous to a fault. Courageous and bold.

*Sen. Ben Collins Ndu* from Enugu State who incidentally was in the Senate same time with Anyim described him this way: “He is somebody that can never fail you if you have anything to do with him. Highly reliable and very efficient and above all, trustworthy.

*Mike Ozekhome SAN*, Human rights activist, says, “here is a grest Pan Nigerian who rose from the rungs of the ladder and climbed from a humble background”

*Muhammad Musa Argungu* says when Anyim was a staff social mobilization Agency in Sokoto that: “Pius Anyim was everywhere doing everything, he was able to save so many marriages, so many disputes and clashes between farmers and fulanis were averted through his hard work. He was able to bring territorial order to quite a number of people seeking social justice.

*Prof. Jerry Gana CON*, Former minister stated thus: “I was very pleased to notice that he had a first class brain with first class thoughts, ideas and service and I was pleased to have the opportunity of appointing him as one of my special assistants.

*Abdusalami Abubakar*, Former Head of state: “He has done very well in his capacity as a legal adviser and his potentials were realized by the various appointments in the panels he has been appointed to.

*Sen. Jonathan Zwingina* who also was in the Senate same time with Anyim said: “I have known him as a very sincere and dependable friend. No one is perfect but Anyim is someone you can depend on”.

*Ibrahim Babangida*, Former Head of State told us that, “Anyim has a very pleasant disposition towards people. A very respectable person and his presence is always felt during discussions on issues concerning the country”

*Olusegun Obasanjo*, Former president, when Anyim was the president of the Senate said: “he is one man who was given opportunity to run and he showed that he can manage and make good use of that opportunity”

*Sen. Ken Nnamani*, Former senate president after Anyim tenure said: “I will describe him as a very cheerful person, you can hardly get him angry but when he does, he roars like a lion, being of large breath. But generally speaking, he is cheerful person and kindly disposed”.

*Senator David Mark*, another senate president after Anyim said that: “I must say that Anyim didn’t disappoint as president of the senate. I think he did his best and always put the nation first”.

*Senator Bukola Saraki* another, former senate president after Anyim stated: “Over the years by virtue of his time as both senate president and SGF, he has always showed himself as a team player, someone who believes in inclusion and finding solutions to problems”.

*Senator Ahmad Lawan*, the current Senate President noted that: “We were very proud of him when he represented the parliament of the national assembly as its chairman  But of course, he also distinguished himself as the SGF. That itself was another responsibility that tested his capacity and leadership skills and he discharged himself creditably well”.

Sen. Ibrahim Mantu*,  Deputy Senate president under Anyim stated; “Anyim Pius will be remembered as somebody who came through one of the greatest turbulent moments in the senate and was able to calm tempers and bring sanity into the senate”

Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa*: “There is nothing as good as dealing with a man with conscience so he should be remembered as a man that is committed to his job, a child of God and a humble leader”.

Sen. Abdul Umar Yandoma*: “He has all it takes to govern and was very close friend of everyone in the senate”.

Sen. Datti Baba Ahmed*; “He is a solution provider and problem solver. He treats Nigerians as Nigerians”.

Sen. Stella Adaeze Oduah*: “He is uniquely honest. He will say things as they are, but in a very nice way, will tell you the truth”’

Sen. Uche Lillian Ekwunife*: “Pius Anyim is an excellent leader. He is never tired of teaching and giving out his best. During the time he was senate president, he served this country meritoriously.

Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe: “He is a quintessential Igbo man. He is a self-starter and has distinguished himself in many areas from being a senator to senate president and being the SGF”.

Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi: “He was a politician’s politician, a responsible leader and equally an administrator of significant competence. He took his responsibility very seriously”.

Sen. Dino Melaye: “He is a gentleman per excellence, highly enterprising, very industrious and believes in the Nigerian state”.

Ghali Umar Na’Abba CFR: Former speaker House of Representative said: “Any leader who survives more than one year in the national Assembly at the time Anyim assumed leadership of the national Assembly is definitely not a complacent person and complacency is not an attribute of leadership. So, Anyim is a good leader and he led well”.

RT Hon Yakubu Gogara, Former Speaker too House of Representatives, said: “The distinguishing features of Anyim is not the humility and accessibility people talk about. I believe it is that he has been able to yield himself to be an instrument in the hands of God”.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, GCON:, Former President who Anyim served as SGF under his administration stated this about Anyim. “During my time as president, I can state firmly that you are a devoted patriot who is always willing to give his best towards the advancement of our nation. I recall your immense contributions to the success of the landmark Centenary celebration in 2014 which was a great contribution in the life of our administration and our nation”.

*Arch. Namadi Sambo GCON*, Former Vice President when Anyim was the SGF stated this about Anyim: “You need somebody first and foremost in terms of leadership to be honest, be able to deliver and keep his promises, and somebody that is hardworking. All the qualities Sen. Anyim pius has” he concluded.

*Boss Mustapha* current, SGF who took over from Anyim said: “He has been a very resourceful man in the course of his political life demonstrating ability, tenacity and great effort at uniting the different shades of opinion in the Nigerian senate”

*MD Abubakar CFR*, Former inspector general of police said, “Pius Anyim is a man of excellence who is very committed to Nigeria and I have seen him work excellently in public service”

JK Gadzama SAN: “He is an example of gentleman per excellence and we want many Anyims around us in different parts of the country”

Mela Audu Nunghe SAN: “He is a peaceful man and will always maintain his calm”

Rear Admiral Peter Ebhaleme: Former Chairman Directorate of Military Pension: “I say without mincing words, if we have his likes in government, whether from the muslim or Christian class, Nigeria will go forward”.

Aruma Oteh: Former Treasurer World Bank: “He is a leader that distinguishes himself because he focuses on what needs to be done instead of seeking credit”.

Prof. George Obiozor: President General Ohaneze Ndigbo: “He has proven to be one of our best and brightest and we are very delighted with his progress in politics as a young statesman and patriot”.

John Nnia Nwodo: Former President General Ohaneze Ndigbo: “He keeps nothing back, means well and is impatient for results. He is a man I think we will hear more about in the future”.

Sen. Joseph Obinna Ogba: “He is one of the greatest leaders not just in the southeast but in Nigeria”.

Dr Uzodinma Adirieje: Past president Abia state university Alumni where Anyim graduated: “he was a core parliamentarian, working for the interest of the people”.

Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu: CEO Stanel Group: “Anyim Pius Anyim is a living legend and a major hope for the Nigerian youth”.

Ferdinand Agu: Chief of Staff to Sen. Anyim while the SGF: “He has this ability to understand the possibilities of a situation and at the same time dimensions of its limitations. Within those boundaries of the possibilities and limits, he is creative in seeking a solution”

Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia: Former ADC to Sen. Anyim: “He does everything with patiencve and humility, which is why he is always successful”.

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo: Former Gov. Gombe State: “Very few men are like him, with diligence and commitment to service”

Attahiru Bafarawa: Former governor Sokoto state: “Anything that will relate to the betterment of the people, he is always ready to relate and see how we can bring peace in the country”.

Lucky Igbinedion: Former Governor Edo State: “His ability to navigate the national assembly as senate president in ensuring they were not puppets to the executive arm of the Government endeared him to me”.

Boni Haruna: Former Governor Adamawa State: “He can swim in any kind of storm because of his loyal and humble disposition”.

Orji Uzor Kalu: Former Governor Abia State: “Nigerians will continue to remember his contributions”.

Babangida Aliyu: Former Governor Niger State: “He is a very calculative person when it comes to politics so I believe Nigerians will benefit tremendously from his efforts”

Emeka Ihedioha: Former Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives and former Governor Imo State: “Sen. Anyim is equipped with significant executive and legislative understanding carrying out his responsibilities with dignity of purpose”.

Engr. Goni Sheikh: Former Perm. Secretary: “In my interaction with him I found him to be a very humble, hardworking and jovial person with his own sense of humour”.

Dr Habib Lawal: Perm. Sec.  Ecological funds office: “I will describe him as a kind boss. He gives you minimal supervision and expects the best”.

Dr Linus Awute: Former Permanent Sec: “I saw him as somebody who never played politics with national issues”

Mohammed Bukar: Permanent Sec. Ministry of works and housing: “The combination of talents in civil service and politics moulded him to provide the kind of leadership that propelled the efficiency in the offices he held. He is actually held in higher pedestal”