Tag: Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged all women groups and indeed, all Nigerian women to join in the advocacy for reservation of special seats for them in the parliament.

Kalu made the call when a delegation from the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by its Executive Director and Deputy National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Zainab Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

The Deputy Speaker urged them to sustain the tempo of the campaign to get the support of the men and other parliamentarians who will eventually vote on the passage of the bills canvassing special seats for women in the constitutional amendment.

It will be recalled that the Deputy Speaker is sponsoring the gender bills to provide for special seats for women in the parliament, a development that prompted the visit of the IPAC women.

He said: “In you lies the potential of our nation. In you lie the possibilities. No matter how we try as men, we’ll not be able to get the possibilities, the potential that you will be able to get for our country. This is my way of telling you that this is your show, this is your responsibility, this is your task. We can only be midwives to make sure that the birthing is done effectively…

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“I like the fact that this is IPAC. It’s not APC or PDP or Labour Party. It is women leaders across various political platforms.

“We must come to a point where we recognise the competence and capacity found in women. I grew up believing in women, that’s why I have a lot of them in my office. They are women of substance. They are here because they have something to offer.”

 Kalu also urged the women to be part of the women summit organised by the House Committee on Constitutional Review in Abuja next week.

Earlier in her remarks, the Executive Director and Deputy National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Zainab Ibrahim, said they came to appreciate the Deputy Speaker for sponsoring the seats reservation bill.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has assured of the parliament’s commitment to legislations and policies geared towards the protection of the girlchild in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Kalu said this year’s theme, Girls’ vision for the future’ conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future

The International Day of the Girl child is observed annually every October 11 to celebrate girls everywhere, amplifying their voices, actions and leadership. 

The Deputy Speaker lamented that the girlchild is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. 

He also lamented that the girl child is plagued with a plethora of challenges and also lives in fear of violence almost from conception, stressing that the public owes her a duty of ensuring she grows into an uninitimidated, unbroken and whole woman.

Kalu recalled that the National Assembly in its bid to ensure the protection of the girlchild passed several key bills into law such the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and Child Rights Act.

According to him, these acts serve to provide and protect the rights of a Nigerian Child, stating that girls are the mothers and leaders of tomorrow, adding that the National Assembly would join its voice to the one of all organizations which champion the protection of the girl child to make it louder.

The Deputy Speaker also stated that the 10th House is ready to give legislative backing to any programme or policy designed towards the wellbeing of not just the girl child but also all children across the country.

He said: “Happy International day of the girlchild. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. 

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“Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.

“Recent analysis shows that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future. Every day, they are taking action to realize a vision of a world in which all girls are protected, respected and empowered. It is time to listen to girls, to invest in proven solutions that will accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl can fulfil her potential.

“Nigeria has over 10 million out-of-school children, with the girl-child disproportionately affected. According to a 2020 UNICEF report, girls constitute over 60 per cent of the out-of-school population, a problem that is exacerbated by barriers such as insecurity, and economic disadvantages, especially in rural conflict-affected areas.

“The 10th House of Representatives is committed to legislations, policies geared towards the protection of the girlchild in the nation, and in a bid to ensure the protection of the girlchild has passed several key bills into law such the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and Child Rights Act. We will give legislative backing to any programme or policy designed towards the wellbeing of not just the girl child but also all children across the country.”

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said that Nigeria would require over $200 million to tackle the humanitarian impact of the recent flood disasters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

 Speaking at a special session of the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) in Midrand, South Africa, Kalu disclosed that over one million persons were displaced by the natural disaster, leaving tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water and access to healthcare. 

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The Deputy Speaker drew attention of his colleagues to the fact that flooding has become one of the negative impacts of climate change in Africa and the urgent need to check the menace.

 Kalu, who is leading the Nigerian delegation to the conference, told other African leaders that the tragedy has greatly affected the economy and the infrastructures of the states and the country at large.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said that Nigeria would require over over 200 million dollars to tackle the humanitarian impact of the recent flood disasters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. 

Speaking at a special session of the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) in Midrand, South Africa, Kalu disclosed that over one million persons were displaced by the natural disaster, leaving tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water and access to healthcare. 

The Deputy Speaker drew attention of his colleagues to the fact that flooding has become one of the negative impacts of climate change in Africa and the urgent need to check the menace. 

Kalu who is leading the Nigerian delegation to the conference told other African leaders that the tragedy has greatly affected the economy and the infrastructures of the states and the country at large. 

He called on the African Union and other international organizations to assist Nigeria in solving the humanitarian crisis arising from the impact of the flooding even as the Parliament at his instance observed one minute silence in honour of those who died in the flood disaster. 

He said: “It is obvious that across the length and breadth of our continent, the losses suffered from climate change is unquantifiable but the loss of lives is the one that is hard to bear. Whether it is in Nigeria, Mali and so on, you see our brothers and sisters weeping for the dead lost through the consequences of climate change.

“Currently Nigeria is going through one of the worst times in our history. For these ones we have lost through the consequences of climate change, I will like to request humbly that as leaders of this continent that we observe one minute silence for the dead.

“This presentation highlights what we are passing through in real terms on climate change. We are experiencing the impact of climate change all across the world and Africa is not left out. Nigeria recently witnessed climate change induced flooding that affected Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. This humanitarian crisis has dealt a heavy blow on our infrastructure and our economy.

“From August to September, these torrential rainfalls and subsequent bridge of major dams caused severe flooding causing a widespread destruction in communities facing social and economic challenges.

“Mr. President, Hon. colleagues, this particular flood has displaced over one million people in one state, and tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water, ccess to healthcare. 

“One of the consequences of climate change is job losses, in addition to the agricultural losses, this has crippled local businesses within these areas. There’s also infrastructure destruction, key roads, bridges broken down. Impact on education is huge because most of the centers are being used as IDP centres to house displaced people.

“The estimated cost of the humanitarian response for this flood impact is about $200 million, needed to be able to bring the place back to shape. 

“How is the AU working to ensure a coordinated response to climate change induced crisis such as the recent flooding in Nigerian states

“Mr President, are there specific interventions frameworks in place on mobilizing resources for member states facing climate related disasters like Nigeria. 

“This is me calling for help, giving visibility for what is happening in Nigeria. There’s a disaster area at the moment and we need all hands, AU, international organizations to come on board and help Nigeria.”

Speaking on the factors militating against achieving the goals of Africa Free Trade Agreement (AfFTA), Kalu said there was the urgent need to remove the various bottlenecks that has slowed down achieving the objectives for which it was established. 

“There are challenges confronting the achievement of the goals of these particular Africa Free Trade Agreement. One of which I have observed is the overlapping regional economic council membership. If we don’t remove the bottlenecks it will impede the success of which we intend to achieve. 

“Trade adjustment cost has been also observed as one of the bottlenecks which is the transition to a single African market that requires significant adjustments in national economies. It’s a major challenge. 

“It’s a bottleneck that we need to clear. How about capacity for domestication? Members may struggle to domesticate like you’ve rightly pointed out these protocols into national laws and policies in a timely manner”, he said. 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commiserated with the government and people of Osun State over the demise of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

The former Governor of Abia State who is also the Bobameto of Ijeshaland,  in a statement described the passing of the prominent monarch as a huge loss to the nation while applauding the remarkable reign of tbe traditional ruler.

Kalu stressed that the late Oba Aromolaran’s reign was successful, and added that he was a highly detrabilized Nigerian who used his position to advocate for peace and unity among Nigerians.

He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the late traditional ruler to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria.

He said: “I sympathize with the government and people of Osun State over the passing of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

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“The late traditional ruler was a selfless and patriotic statesman who used his resources to advance the cause of his people.

“His reign brought tremendous development to Ijeshaland and Osun State in general.

“He was a highly respected monarch owing to his objective counsel on national issues.

“The late monarch lived a purposeful life and his good deeds will forever be remembered.”

The former governor prayed to God to grant the departed soul eternal rest and give the Aromolaran family the fortitude to bear loss.