Happy 53rd Birthday to our champion, an extraordinary representative Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Utabiri Bende).
I am using the word Champion with a high sense of responsibility and in its strictest definitions as : “one that does battles for other’s rights or honour, a winner of first prize or first place in a competition and
an advocate, to describe Benjamin Okezie Kalu , the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, as I congratulate him on his birthday, in appreciation of the pride his persona and activities have conferred on Nigeria and his constituency.
I am from Nkpa, a major constituency in Bende local government area of Abia state that has gifted Nigeria, this gem of a personality in whom I am well pleased, hence my hearty congratulations to him
I am 70 years old, a retired Director of the Federal Civil Service. I am not a politician, so I am not writing this to patronize him. He doesn’t need it. His accomplishments which have endeared him to me are as clear as crystal. I am writing out of conviction with a deep sense of credibility.
Honestly, some of us who live outside our Bende local government area, knew little about him, even though my cousin, Nwabuikwu Ochiobi, alias Piccolo, had, once, told me how he advised him during one of his visits to rescue our “eme” river bridge if he wanted votes from Nkpa.
The bridge had become so rickety then, and getting impassable. He carried out some palliative work on it.
But it was in 2019 at the 9th National Assembly that he burst into national limelight with that first motion in the parliament, the very first , that brought succour to his constituents and honour to him.
At first , it was difficult and even confusing for us from Nkpa, to believe. And the motion? The need to urgently address the menace of flood and erosion ravaging Nkpa and its environs.
It birthed the multi- million naira contract for the rehabilitation of the Umuimenyi/ Nkpa to Umuezike road and erosion control project by the Ecological fund of the Presidency.
Nkpa my Motherland, mentioned on the floor of the national assembly for good and its motion unanimously carried?
Today, through that motion, perhaps , one of the best rural roads, in Abia state, has been built in Nkpa.
I thank the Rt Honourable Ben Kalu, immeasurably for this.
Though, some of us, due to our human frailties, may have forgotten so soon, that at a stage of the dilapidation of the road, we had carried our dead on our heads wading through the river to distances for burial, we are still largely grateful to God and him.
Could they also have forgotten that at that time, some of our communities had also been cut off from one another due to the menace of flooding and erosion.
Nonetheless, many of us have not forgotten. That is why we consider it most appropriate to use this occasion of his birthday to thank him in our parlance: : Imeela!
Kaa- nka!!
Duu- ndu!!!
Indeed we can’t thank him enough , even if space allows it. Since that prodigious first plenary outing, The Rt Hon has continued to emerge as first among equals in his thoughts and actions.
He has provided exemplary leadership in all his engagements: Is it the South East Development Commission, the Establishment of State Police ,or, the Peace in South East Project, launched recently, or the over 250 motions he has sponsored in a legislative year, to mention just a few, that has not thrown every right thinking person into a frenzy of admiration for him?
In November last year, on the invitation of the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, he attended our induction as Knights of the Church in Abuja, and the Oracle, as he has become known in the green chambers, because of his encyclopedic knowledge of affairs, held the congregants in awe of his oratorial gift and powers.
Like Shakespeare’s Mark Anthony in the epic Julius Caesar, he held everyone spell bound with his “brief remarks” which almost became the sermon.
Not minding that it was a church ceremony, every Igbo claimed him. Then imagine me, his brother and constituent.
When he left, his carriage, his delivery of his knowledge of the scriptures and the story of his humble beginnings as a member of the Boys Brigade, became subjects for conversation from diverse prisms.
Those who get close to know him, will understand.
While not deducting a letter from my appreciation of my dear brother, the Honourable Deputy Speaker, May I use this opportunity to reassure him that the people of Nkpa love him more, now, than they did before because of what he has done and what he would do for them.
They say in English that the reward for hard work is more hard work when referring to the wisdom of our sages who say that “eto Dike na nke omere eme, ya emee ozo”.
He has done very well in discharging his responsibilities as our Representative. He has deftly and successfully balanced his responsibilities among his people, party and nation, to hallmark true democracy. That is why he is shining like a million stars in the firmament.
We pray that despite the challenges posed by this balancing act, he will attract more projects to Nkpa land this year.
So friends, please join me to celebrate this Icon, erudite and charming gentleman, who has brought honour and pride to Abia state on this auspicious occasion.
May he live long..
Chief Chudi Okologbu Uwandu
(Akunne Onyeogadirinma)
