EULOGY of Reps Speaker Abbas Tajudeen in Honour of His Late Dpty Chief of Staff, Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu

EULOGY BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RT. HON. ABBAS TAJUDEEN, PHD, GCON, IN HONOUR OF CHAMBERLAIN NNAMDI DUNWKU, PHD, KSC, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF (LEGISLATIVE) TO THE SPEAKER, ON TUESDAY, 10TH MARCH 2026.

Honourable Colleagues,
It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that I inform this Honourable House of the passing of a devoted member of our parliamentary family, my Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, PhD, KSC, who departed this world in the early hours of Saturday, 7 March 2026.

2. His passing has left the Office of the Speaker and indeed the entire House of Representatives in mourning. Dr. Dunkwu was one of those quiet but indispensable figures within our parliamentary system whose work was often carried out away from public attention, yet whose presence and influence were felt by almost every Member of this House.

3. Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu was born on 21 March 1971 in Ute-Okpu, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. From those early beginnings, he built a life defined by perseverance, loyalty, and a deep commitment to service. He pursued his education with diligence and intellectual discipline, eventually earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Yet despite his academic accomplishments, he remained an exceptionally humble man. Titles and positions never altered the warmth with which he related to people.

4. His professional life became closely intertwined with the Nigerian legislature. Before joining my office, he served as Special Assistant to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in the 9th Assembly. In that role, he gained extensive experience in parliamentary administration and relationship management within the legislature.

5. When the consultations and political engagements that preceded the leadership contest in the 10th House of Representatives were underway, Dr. Dunkwu played an energetic role in mobilising support for my candidacy for Speaker. He travelled, consulted widely with Members, and worked tirelessly to build understanding across political and regional lines. His efforts during that period reflected not only his loyalty but also his deep belief in the institution of parliament and its leadership.

6. Following the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, I appointed him as Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) on 26 June 2023, a position he served with extraordinary dedication until his passing.

7. Honourable Colleagues, many of you knew Dr. Dunkwu not merely as a member of the staff of the Office of the Speaker but as a friend. Few individuals in the National Assembly possessed the kind of personal rapport he cultivated with Members. He knew many Members not simply within the legislature but as individuals whose families, homes, and personal circumstances he came to know over the years. He visited Members in their homes, celebrated with them in moments of joy, and stood with them in moments of difficulty.

8. One of the traditions he upheld with remarkable enthusiasm was celebrating Members’ birthdays. Whenever a Member marked a birthday, Dr. Chamberlain ensured that a cake was arranged, colleagues gathered, and the moment was celebrated. With characteristic warmth and humour, he would offer glowing words about the celebrant before leading Members and staff in singing “Happy Birthday.” These moments strengthened the bonds of fellowship within the House.

9. His concern for colleagues extended beyond moments of celebration. Whenever a Member fell ill or was hospitalised, Dr. Chamberlain made it a personal duty to visit. He believed that such gestures of solidarity were essential to the spirit of parliamentary community.

10. Honourable Colleagues, many Members have shared personal experiences that illustrate the character of the man we mourn today. One such account comes from our colleague Honourable Kayode Moshood Akiolu. During the party primaries preceding the 2019 National Assembly elections, Dr. Chamberlain intervened firmly in defence of fairness and due process when Members’ rights were at risk of being disregarded. At the time, Dr. Chamberlain had never met him and did not know him personally. Yet he insisted that justice and due process must prevail. That principled intervention helped ensure a fair outcome in the primaries. Honourable Akiolu subsequently emerged successfully from the process and was elected into the 9th and later the 10th House of Representatives. Today, he remembers Dr. Chamberlain with deep appreciation for that moment of fairness and courage.

11. Many Members in this House have similar stories of kindness, encouragement, and quiet intervention at important moments in their political journeys. These acts were never performed for recognition. They were simply reflections of his character.

12. One of the defining aspects of Dr. Chamberlain’s personality was his difficulty saying “no.” Because he genuinely wanted to assist everyone, he often accepted responsibilities far beyond what was expected of him. At times, this placed him in difficult situations, yet it never changed his temperament. Even under pressure, he remained calm, respectful, and courteous. Those who worked closely with him will attest that he never raised his voice in anger against any Member or staff.

13. His humility was also reflected in the way he addressed people. Regardless of status or position, he addressed everyone respectfully as “sir.” It was a simple but powerful expression of the respect he carried for others.

14. Dr. Chamberlain possessed remarkable energy, humour, and affability. His laughter often echoed through the corridors of the National Assembly, lightening tense moments and reminding us that the work of governance is also sustained by human warmth and friendship.

15. In reflecting on his final days, many of us recall the Iftar dinner held for Members on Friday, 6 March 2026. That gathering turned out, unknowingly, to be Dr. Chamberlain’s final official engagement. True to his nature, he did not remain seated at a single table. Instead, he moved from table to table across the hall, greeting Members, exchanging pleasantries, and discussing issues of interest to them. As he did so, he enthusiastically invited colleagues to a swimming event scheduled for the following morning, which he had been organising as the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation. That evening captured the essence of who he was – energetic, engaging, and constantly connecting with people.

16. With the benefit of hindsight, that moment now feels like a fitting final farewell. In his usual manner, he spent those final hours among colleagues, greeting everyone, laughing, discussing plans, and continuing the work he loved.

17. Dr. Chamberlain also had personal quirks that added colour to his personality. Many who worked with him knew of his fear of elevators and flights. Despite his office being on the fourth floor, he preferred to take the stairs rather than use the elevator. It was not unusual to see him climbing the stairs several times a day. On occasions when official duties required air travel, he often expressed great reluctance. There were moments when I had to persuade him, and sometimes even insist, that he accompany me on official trips by helicopter. Even then, he boarded with considerable hesitation and protest, which often provided light moments for all of us.

18. Beyond the legislature, he served the country in other capacities. As President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, he was deeply involved in promoting swimming and aquatic sports across Nigeria. Even on the evening before his passing, he remained fully engaged in organising activities for the federation. That relentless dedication to duty reflected the energy with which he approached every responsibility.

19. Dr. Chamberlain was also a man of faith. As a Knight of the Anglican Communion, he served the church actively and remained guided by the spiritual values that shaped his life. In his home state of Delta, he remained engaged in community and political activities, contributing to grassroots mobilisation and development efforts.

20. Honourable Colleagues, the sudden passing of Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu at 54 years of age reminds us of the fragility of life. He was in the prime of his life—full of energy, full of plans, and full of hope. His sudden departure calls us to reflect on the brevity of human existence and the importance of the legacy we leave behind.

21. Positions, titles, and offices are temporary. What endures are the relationships we build, the kindness we show, and the institutions we strengthen.

22. Dr. Chamberlain leaves behind a legacy of friendship, humility, loyalty, and service. Like every human being, he was not perfect. None of us is. I therefore humbly request that all who knew him forgive any shortcomings he may have had and remember him instead for the many strengths and virtues that defined his life.

23. For me personally, he was more than just staff. He was a loyal aide, a dependable partner in leadership, and a friend whose commitment to this institution never faltered.

24. Honourable Colleagues, though his voice will no longer be heard in the corridors of this House, the memory of his kindness, humour, and service will remain with us.

25. On behalf of the leadership and entire membership of the House of Representatives, I extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife, his children, his extended family, the people of Delta State, his church community, and all those who were privileged to know and work with him.

26. May the Almighty grant them comfort and strength in this difficult time.

27. Honourable Colleagues, in recognition of the life and service of this distinguished Nigerian, I request that this Honourable House observe one minute of silence in honour of the late Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu .

28. And may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen!