The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dr. Orji Kalu

  • Buhari, Osibanjo, Oyegun, others to participate in Abia mega rally

    Buhari, Osibanjo, Oyegun, others to participate in Abia mega rally

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun and other ranking members of the party are expected to participate in the party’s mega rally in Abia State.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Benedict Godson while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Umuahia, the state capital after the inauguration of the party’s Contact, Mobilization/Rally Committee said that the event would hold in the state capital in October.

    Godson said that the essence of the planned mega rally was to present new members of the party including former Governor of the state, Dr. Orji Kalu, Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu, immediate past President Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah, CEO Masters Energy and former Abia PDP governorship aspirant in 2015 election, Chief David Ogba Onuoha, MD of defunct Bourdex telecommunication and Abia North Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, MD of defunct Hallmark Bank and brother to former senate president (Adolphus Wabara), Mark Wabara among other Abia political big weights who will be presented to the public at the event scheduled to hold at the state capital.

    According to Godson, the rally was preparatory to the party’s efforts to woo more supporters ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Earlier in his speech, state chairman of the party, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa who stressed that the party’s doors were wide enough to accommodate others who may join the party even after the rally charged the committee to work hard in order to make sure that the event was a success.

    Nwankpa who recalled how the immediate past government in the state barred the incumbent President Buhari from making use of public facilities during the campaigns and the use of state’s machinery to frustrate efforts of the founding fathers of the party in the state to reach out to intending in 2015.

    The state chairman of APC maintained that he was sure that the people in the party and the popularity of the party in the state, that they were going to produce the next Abia governor.

    He restated that the party would not zone the governorship position in the state to any zone, stressing that the party through an open and credible primaries would present candidates who are willing to serve Abians and deliver dividend of democracy to all parts of the state.

    “A governor is like a father with many children. He loves the children equally and shares his wealth to them without favouring anyone. APC will produce a governor and leaders that have the interest of their subjects at heart. We are not going to promote godfatherism, but to present candidates based on their acceptability by the people who will elect them through a credible primary.”

    Chairman of the committee and deputy chairman of the party, Chief Ogumka Adiele promised that they were going to do the work entrusted in their care with their best.

    Adiele assured that the committee would make sure that more people would join the party before the event holds, stating that they would make sure it became a success.

    Other members of the committee including Hon Acho Obioma, former House of Rep member and chairman Akoka Federal College of Education Governing Board Council, Chief Oxford Wabara and others pledged their commitment in ensuring that they work cooperatively with the committee’s chairman to produce a positive result.

  • Biafra agitation affecting South-East’s economy-Orji Kalu

    Biafra agitation affecting South-East’s economy-Orji Kalu

    A former governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, says the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra is adversely affecting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the South-East.

    Kalu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja, at a joint press conference with members of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), after a closed meeting with the group.

    He said that he opened up consultations with the group following recent developments in the country, threats and counter threats.

    The former governor said that Nnamdi Kanu was not the only one talking about Biafra, adding that he had access to all of them and would continue talking to them.

    “It is an issue of great concern to the region; the young people on the street do not know the damage the Biafra agitation does to the GDP of the region.

    “The GDP of the area has gone down grossly; I am an entrepreneur and I know it.

    “Cameroon, Chad, Niger and others used to buy goods from Aba, now how many of them still go there?

    “We resolved this issue when I was the governor of Abia; I resolved it with Ralph Uwazulike and he listened; we will speak with Nnamdi Kanu and he will listen.”

    Kalu said that the diversity and demography of Nigeria was its strength.

    According to him, every part of the country has something to offer for its development, anybody who thinks otherwise is making mistake.

    Kalu urged the group to support the call for restructuring as it did not mean breaking up the country.
    “Nigeria needs to restructure economically and other wise. Many states cannot pay salaries.

    “We need to put more money on capital projects, I recommend 25 per cent for recurrent and 75 per cent for capital.

    “If the federal and state governments had invested in agriculture, the North should be making about 150 billion dollars from agriculture yearly.

    “This is the only country that traverses from Atlantic Ocean to Sahara desert; some people are asking God to give them just one; we have to keep the country united,” he said.

    He thanked Shettima Yerima, the Chairman of CNG for coming for the meeting, adding that there would be further consultations in order to reach a common ground.

    Kalu assured southerners living in the North that they were safe and Nigeria was also safe.

    On his part, Yerima said that he had been engaging with Kalu via telephone since the quit notice issue came up.

    Yerima, who is also the Chairman of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, said Kalu had shown a lot of concern and was worried that the unity of Nigeria was being threatened.

    “We have had series of meetings with a lot of prominent Nigerians and we want the unity of Nigeria.

    “We identify with Kalu because he believes in the unity of Nigeria, going by his antecedents; we have assured him of our commitment to one Nigeria and our meeting was fruitful.

    “We strongly believe that Nigeria is one and it is for us.

    “We held meeting with Northern governors and we promised to make a statement and this is part of the process.

    “Be rest assured that there is no cause for alarm; we assure everybody who believes in Nigeria of their safety,” he said.

    Yerima said that the coalition would engage in further consultations before taking a final position.

  • Kalu condoles with Shinkafi family

    The former Governor of Abia, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed shock over the demise of front-line politician and philanthropist, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi.

    The late presidential candidate of the APP/AD Alliance in 1999 died in London on Wednesday.

    According to the former governor, the late Marafan Sokoto was a perfect gentleman and a patriotic statesman, who was committed to the cause of a just and fair society.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said, “the demise of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi is a huge loss to the nation considering his contributions to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria.

    “Having served in different capacities especially in the public sector, he died at a time his counsel on national issues is most needed.

    “Alhaji Shinkafi was a detribalized Nigerian and he built friendships and relationships beyond the boundaries of the North.

     “The demise of the Marafan Sokoto has created a big vacuum in the political circle.

    “The memories of the late police officer will linger forever in the minds of many in the society.

    “However, we take solace in the fact that he left behind good legacies.”

    Kalu, while admonishing the deceased’s family to be comforted in the purposeful life their patriarch lived, urged them to sustain the exemplary qualities of the late philanthropist.

    The former governor commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara State and the entire Shinkafi family.

    He prayed God to grant the late politician eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

  • Eid-el-fitri: Sustain Ramadan virtues – Kalu urges Nigerians

    Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu has urged Nigerians to sustain the virtues associated with the Muslim fast at Ramadan,  charging them to live in peace and harmony, describing the  future of the country as  bright under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Kalu pointed out that the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria should be seen as an advantage, noting that peaceful co-existence among Nigerians regardless of religion, tribe, economic and social status is a panacea for sustainable development

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Alhaji Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said,”It is indeed another opportunity to join our Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr in commemoration of the successful completion of the month-long spiritual exercise.

    “ Sallah period is a season of spiritual rebirth and fulfillment and as such, we should use the occasion to offer special prayers for the nation.

    “The tenets of the holy month of Ramadan must be sustained by the Muslim Ummah as a way of keeping to the teachings of the holy Qu’ran and exemplary qualities of Prophet Mohammed.

    “We must imbibe the acts of alms giving, togetherness, love and sacrifice in our daily lives.”

    Kalu, while wishing the Muslim community a hitch-free festivity, he reminded them to celebrate with people of other religious faith.

  • Abia North rerun: Nigerians in Diaspora back Kalu

    Ahead of the Abia North Senatorial Election rerun, Nigerians in Diaspora have thrown their weight behind the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate and former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Kalu.

    According to Mr. John Juruobi, a United States-based realtor who hosted the frontline businessman-cum-politician and his family to a dinner in Maryland on Sunday, the nullification of the election of Mr. Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Court of Appeal was commendable and timely, noting that with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the era of rigging was over in Nigeria.

    “The verdict of the three-man appellate panel headed by Justice G. Mbaba is a clear testimony that justice can only be delayed but not denied. The judiciary has given hope to the hopeless with the remarkable judgment. We must celebrate the panel members for upholding professional ethics in the conduct of the patriotic assignment; they have proved to the world that they are men of integrity. The verdict is good for Nigeria’s democracy.

    “It will not be out of place for President Buhari to confer national honours on Justice G. Mbaba and his team for their altruism and patriotism. These men are role models to many in the society beyond the judiciary,” Juruobi said.

    The realtor acknowledged Kalu’s role in the social, economic and politiacal development of Nigeria, noting that his business empire, SLOK Group, was a source of employment and wealth for many families beyond the shores of Nigeria. He added that Kalu’s accomplishments in the private and public circles make him the right person to represent his constituency at the Senate.

    Juruobi called on the people of Abia North to come out en-masse and vote for Kalu on election day, noting that Abia North needs a well-connected personality that will advocate better lives for the people, as against selfish politicians who are desperate to buy the votes at the detriment of the masses.

    Kalu thanked organisers of the gathering and promised not to relent in his humanitarian gestures, adding that the people’s welfare will be top priority in his legislative agenda, if elected.

    The meeting was attended by many Nigerians based in the United States, including Alhaji Mustapha Dantata, Mr. Solomon Ogba, Mr. and Mrs. Emenike Ojukwu, Mr. Emeka Ebo, Sam Nwachukwu, Zubi Chukwura, Miss Rita Amachere among others.