A former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, has urged the Igbo to take advantage of the ongoing membership registration to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) en masse.
He said the party is where the Ndigbo should pitch their tent.
“Ndi Igbo should be there,” Dr. Kalu said.
The former minister shared his mind when he hosted House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and APC leaders who visited him in his home country in Ohafia, Abia State, over the weekend.
The former minister emphasised the need for Igbo representation at all levels of the party.
He said: “When they were gathering to set up the APC years ago, I talked to some of our people. Ndi Igbo should be there. They deserve to be there. They have earned their right to be there at the high table.”
Dr. Kalu hailed the legislative strides of the Deputy Speaker and his commitment to national duty, saying he is making the Ndi Igbo proud.
The former minister, who was a presidential aspirant in 2003, also promised to contribute more of his quota, especially from his wealth of experience, to the development of the state and the nation when needed, despite his age.
“So, I must tell you without any equivocation that I’m so proud of you. Abia has to continue to move forward from where we have come. I’m sure that anytime I have an opportunity to contribute by way of advice, by way of presence, by way of walking towards the call for duty, regardless of age, I will. I’m still very strong. I thank the Almighty Father. I don’t feel any constraints up there.”
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Kalu eulogised the former minister for his contributions to national development, saying his name would continue to resonate around the world.
“As a student in secondary school, when they asked who the Minister of Finance was, we would raise our hands up. If you wanted to get it correctly, you would have to say Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.
“You have maintained this dignity, pride, this integrity without spot for these donkey years. The man we are standing beside is about 87 years old. That is the man we are talking about, without spot, without blemish, a good example for some of us who are in national service.
“When we remember that people like you walked this path, we’ll tend to bend down to learn from what sustained you, your impeccable results and transparency. You are a role model to all of us, and we pray that God will keep you alive so that we will keep coming close to you to learn from you, your wealth of knowledge, and your experience.
“The man we are standing before is a man who aspired to be the President of this country in 2003. As I said, it’s not easy to remember all that constitutes his profile. We keep talking about him, we keep remembering the things he has done, projecting the Igbo race up there. Thank you for being the image of Ndi Igbo,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also presented a brochure detailing his legislative works as the Deputy Speaker for two years to the elder statesman, praying God to bless him with more years of fruitful living in good health.