Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Council of Item Traditional Rulers today the 17th day of September 2022 Conferred the title of AGUNECHEMBA 1 OF ITEM (THE LION THAT DEFENDS ITEM COMMUNITY) on the member representing Bende Federal Constituency Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu at the annual New Yam Festival “IÑU NDI” in recognition of his outstanding representation. The Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers HRH Eze Innocent Kalu while conferring this title described the Representative as a man who has the interest of Item people at heart and responds accordingly to their requests regardless of the when he is called upon. He added that the…

Member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu felicitates with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the celebration of his 66th birthday describing him as a man of integrity. The Representative In a goodwill message while congratulating the SGF stated that he is an excellent administrator worthy of emulation, a man who is dedicated in service to God and humanity adding that he has not compromised his faith even in service. He prayed for God’s blessings in all areas of his life. He wrote; HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT…

The bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Meteorological Agency Act to grant the Nigeria Meteorological Agency sole authority to grant approvals and licenses for the establishment of meteorological stations and other related matters sponsored by the Member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has been signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. The bill which was first read on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 seeks to repeal the Nigerian Metrological Agency (Establishment, etc.) Act, No. 9 of 2003, enacts the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment) Act,…

The member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has felicitated with Abia and Abians on the occasion of its 31st Anniversary as a State. In a congratulatory letter, the Representative thanked God for preserving the state and its residents through this 31st year despite any unusual difficulties that may have faced the state at various points. He commended the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his efforts to move the state forward, particularly for publishing the 30-year development plan, a guide toward the sustainable development of the state. He further urged the government…

The Member representing Bende Federal Constituency in partnership with the National Institute for Cultural Orientation organized a training program aimed at empowering Bende Women and Youths in the cultural industry with grants in support of the crafts. The program was held at the Multipurpose Hall, Bende L.G.A, Abia State on Friday, 26th August 2022 was also aimed at harnessing Bende cultural heritage for the women and youth. In an opening address by the Executive Secretary/CEO NICO Mrs. Patience Item, stated that the organization is one that willing to serve the women and youth in various capacities through numerous programs and…

The Member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu sends his warm wishes to the Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly and Member representing Bende North State Constituency Hon. Chijioke Chukwu on his birthday. In his congratulatory message by the Spokesperson, he described Hon. Chukwu as a ‘reliable and dependable party man’ who has proven to be a good leader for Bende North at the Abia State House of Assembly. He appreciated the member for using government resources judiciously for the benefit of the people and development of his constituency instead of…

Member representing Bende Federal Constituency and the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has sent his warm wishes to the Lead Pastor, Streams of Joy International, and Convener of Global Prayer Platform, New Seasons Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD) Pastor Jerry Uchechukwu Eze on his 40th birthday today August 22, 2022. In a heartfelt message, the representative expressed gratitude to God for choosing his constituency to produce this great gift to humanity appreciating him for his impact on the lives of Christians globally. Rep. Kalu stated that in the last three decades of his life, the global…

Coming at the heels of the gathering of Bende APC stakeholders early this month at Nkpa at the behest of Dr K. O Ononogbu,  the cerebral State Chairman  of APC,  all roads leads to Item tomorrow morning by same Bende stakeholders to receive the gubernatorial candidate of the party to the local government. In the last few weeks,  there has been a flurry of activities across the state by the High chief with the sermon that Abia can be great again. Not yet the period of campaigns,  Ikechi Emenike,  a celebrated political strategist is taking turns across the local governments…

Last night in Abuja, the ‘heavens’ literally ‘kissed the earth’ when the spokesman and ‘magician’ of the House of Representatives,  Hon Benjamin Kalu once again mounted the podium to receive yet another Award of excellence  as the Most Outstanding Rep Member of the year in Nigeria by Democracy Heroes Award Africa. Flanked by friends notably Chief Daniel Akwari and Chief Ikenna Ariwodo amongst others and in a glittering and well attended ceremony, Hon Benjamin Kalu beamed with satisfaction as his accomplishments were brought before the global audience for recognition. For seven months short of four years in office, the Bende…

It was an evening of pomp and pageantry as the Member representing Bende Federal Constituency and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives received the Democracy Heroes Award Africa as the Most Outstanding Rep. member of the year 2023 at the awards ceremony held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on the 18th of August 2023. The Democracy Heroes Awards which also celebrated its 10th anniversary is held annually to recognize leaders who have upheld the ethos of democracy in their nation and across Africa. Rep. Kalu who was nominated and voted as the winner by the general public…