The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Abbas Tajudeen, has paid glowing tributes to his late Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr Dunkwu Nnamdi Chamberlain, KSC, who passed away on Saturday.
Speaker Abbas, in his eulogy as plenary resumed on Tuesday, said, “For me personally, he was more than just a staff member. He was a loyal aide, a dependable partner in leadership, and a friend whose commitment to this institution never faltered.”
The Speaker said Dr Chamberlain left behind “a legacy of friendship, humility, loyalty, and service.”
The House observed a minute of silence in Dr Chamberlain’s honour. Thereafter, a delegation of the House led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu paid a condolence visit to his family.
In his eulogy, the Speaker said, “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.
“His passing has left the Office of the Speaker and indeed the entire House of Representatives in mourning. Dr Chamberlain 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.
“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.
“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 that role, he gained extensive experience in parliamentary administration and relationship management within the legislature.”
Speaker Abbas said, following the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, he appointed Dr Chamberlain as Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) on June 26, 2023, “a position he served with extraordinary dedication until his passing.”
The Speaker also recalled Dr Chamberlain’s last moments while on official duty.
“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 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 President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation. That evening captured the essence of who he was—energetic, engaging, and constantly connecting with people.
“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.”
Speaker Abbas also noted that when the consultations and political engagements that preceded the leadership contest in the 10th House were underway, Dr Chamberlain played “an energetic role in mobilising support for my candidacy for speaker.”
The Speaker further recalled how Dr Chamberlain had personal relationships with many members of the House. “He visited members in their homes, celebrated with them in moments of joy, and stood with them in moments of difficulty.”
Speaker Abbas noted Dr Chamberlain’s tradition of celebrating members’ birthdays. “Whenever a member marked a birthday, Dr Chamberlain ensured that a cake was arranged, colleagues gathered, and the moment was celebrated…. These moments strengthened the bonds of fellowship within this House.”
While noting that Dr Chamberlain’s concern for lawmakers extended beyond moments of celebration, the Speaker said, “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 the parliamentary community.”
Speaker Abbas pointed out that many members in the House have stories of Dr Chamberlain’s kindness, encouragement, and quiet intervention at critical moments in their political journeys. “These acts were never performed for recognition. They were simply reflections of his character,” he stated.
He said, “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.”
Speaker Abbas added, “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.”