At the advent of the return to civilian rule in 1998/1999, a young, vibrant and self made Orji Uzor Kalu took the entire political landscape of Abia State by storm. Against all odds, he emerged the PDP gubernatorial candidate, and ultimately emerged the governor of Abia State, albiet without a godfather or a sponsor, a position he held for 8 years, where he made men and women alike, among whom is Chijioke Chukwu and the Deputy Speaker, Hon
Ben Kalu.
Both Hon Chukwu and Hon Ben were direct beneficiaries of Orji Uzor Kalu’s reward policy. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was not only directly involved in the emergence of Hon Chukwu as a member representing Bende North Constituency but commited funds and goodwill in making sure Hon Chukwu emerged as the only Abia House member from APC at that time.
It is trite and overt erudition that the Deputy Speaker, Hon Ben Kalu was once an appointee and personal aide to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and it was with his approval and tacit support that Hon Ben was able to emerge the APC candidate for Bende Federal Constituency and ultimately a House of Representatives member in 2019, drawing and culminating into his present status. Now, tell me what “reward system” could be more rewarding than this?
If Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is selfish as described by Chijioke Chukwu, would Chijioke Chukwu and His Principal have been who they are today without the initial support of Dr Orji Uzor Kalu?
If anything OUK has been a selfless, altruistic, broad-minded, empathetic and grossly magnanimous person, an epitome of a flawless and dispassionate reward system, which every discerning mind can attest to.
Orji Uzor Kalu is a firm rewarder of loyalty and a selfless uplifter of men, testimonies and evidences abound of which Hon Chijioke Chukwu and his principal are an evidential exhibits.
Look around you, using Abia State as a case study, and since the Rebirth of civilian rule in 1999, you will see the percentage of politicians that have either benefited, were mentored and/or rewarded by His Excellency Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. Some are retired, some late while many are still active and most of them are not in anyways related to him.
A simple question to Chijioke Chukwu during his time at the 7th House of Assembly as the minority leader.
How many people did he make?
How many people did he reward?
Who and who did he empower politically?
It is therefore, rather unfortunate that someone that should be grateful to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for aiding and supporting his political journey is here spewing fibs and fallacy, like they say “ingratitude is sooner or later fatal to its Author”
Hon. Dr. Nnanna Kalu’s appointment as a member of the National Assembly Service Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is thoroughly merited as Hon Nnanna is eminently qualified for that position having been a two (2)time member of the Federal House of Representatives with enormous experience and know how, a community leader in his own right, atleast this much have not been denied by the naysayers.
Therefore, their only issue is that he is related to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu without more as if that disqualifes him. For me, it should even be a big plus to be a sibling to the great iroko OUK, as they say “Onye Nnaya no na ala eze, anaghi aga oku mmou” loosely translated to “He whose father is in heaven can’t go to hell”;
talk more when the heaven is even merited, but in this case the credit goes to the President and Commander in Chief, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinibu for the worthy appointment.
Chief Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is not just a person, he is a project, a colossus, a political enigma, a man made by God and a man that have rewarded and made men. These are the facts and no calumny can change that.
Shalom.
– Barr Victor Etie is a lawyer, public commentator and opinion leader.