The Management of The Sun Publishing Limited, the publisher of Sun Newspapers has described the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as a visionary leader for the 21st century.
The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaper, Mr Onuoha Ukeh made the remark on Wednesday when he led a delegation of the management team to present a nomination letter to the Deputy Speaker for The Sun Innovative Legislator of the Year Award 2026 in Abuja.
Ukeh said that the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited selected Kalu for the prestigious award based on merit, after extensive deliberations, in recognition of his dynamic and result-oriented style of representation and novel approach to leadership.
He said that the Innovative Legislator of the Year Award is given to any lawmaker who has adopted a dynamic style of representation to achieve desired results.
He described Kalu, a lawyer as a seasoned legislator, international businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development whose career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
The Management recalled that Kalu began as Chairman, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, and later served as Executive Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and International Relations before rising to national prominence.
It noted that when he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2019, the Deputy Speaker distinguished himself as Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and Spokesperson of the House, where he modernized the communication architecture through the establishment of Green Chamber Magazine, introducing regular, transparent press briefings.
The Sun Management further said that following Kalu’s good work, he was re-elected by his constituents in 2023 and later emerged as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), leading one of the most consequential national assignments that is shaping constitutional reforms to deepen democracy, inclusion and national unity.
The Management noted Kalu’s academic background, saying he is well prepared for leadership.
Kalu holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja; a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Calabar; an LL.M. in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law, with Distinction, from the University of Calabar; an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom; and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Hons.) from the University of Calabar.
The Sun Management also credited the Deputy Speaker with sponsoring a legion of landmark bills addressing key governance and developmental needs, as well as facilitating constituency projects in road rehabilitation, education and health, including establishment of medical centers, solar-powered boreholes and classroom blocks across the 13 electoral wards in Bende Federal Constituency.
The Management added that Kalu’s leadership transcends Nigeria, as he serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget, member of the Pan-African Parliament, Steering Committee Member of the WTO Parliamentary Conference, and Member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
“We have the honour to convey to you, the warm compliments of The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, Sunday Sun, Sporting Sun and thesun.ng.
“On behalf of the Management, we sincerely thank you for accepting the nomination for The Sun Innovative Legislator of the Year Award 2026.
“Your selection for the award was based on merit, having been arrived at after extensive deliberations by our Board of Editors. It was predicated on the following reasons, among others:
“You are a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development. Your career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
“You stand as a visionary leader for the 21st century, blending law, policy, diplomacy, and humanitarian service to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
“For your result-oriented style of representation and novel approach to leadership, the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited chose you as winner of The Sun Innovative Legislator of the Year Award 2026.
“The Innovative Legislator of the Year Award is given to that lawmaker who has adopted a dynamic style of representation to achieve desired results”, Ukeh said.
The formal presentation of the award will be held at The Sun Awards ceremony on November 13, 2026 in Lagos.
