Day Nigeria Stood Still for Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu

Members of the Peace In the Southeast Project,  PISE-P, in collaboration with the good people of Bende, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, on December  29th 2023, organised a homecoming grand reception for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu. The occasion also witnessed the formal unveiling of PISE-P, an initiative of the members of the 10th National Assembly from the Southeast, led by the Deputy Speaker.  The grand reception held at the Bende Sports Ground was a resounding success, symbolising the unity, pride, and appreciation of the community for their dedicated son. It underscored the importance of recognising and celebrating the contributions of individuals who play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of their communities. Writes MARY NNAH

Saturday, December 29, 2023, left an unforgettable experience in the lives of the people of Bende, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. Nigerians from across the divide, from all tribes and religions – politicians, members of the Executive Council at the federal and state levels, captains of Industries, the clergy, cultural personalities and traditional rulers of all classes, the military, the police, other security operatives, national and state lawmakers, past and present, former governors, past and present, and the media,  and so on, came from far and near to witness this day surely created by divine powers in honour of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, a Nigerian politician who is the current deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, represents the Bende Federal Constituency in the House.

In the history of Bende, a sprawling ancient town in Abia State, no such gathering has happened before, not of this magnitude.

The gathering was also in recognition of the essence of peace replacing the ongoing blaze in the Southeast ‘who is who’ in Nigeria turned out in huge numbers to be part of this history.

How else can one explain the attraction and the physical presence of some of the best breeds amongst the most powerful and influential individuals in Nigeria? The roll call was almost endless.  

Kalu was not well-known among prominent figures at the highest level in Nigeria until he began to show his sparks at the 9th National Assembly. Over the last 10 years, his meteoric rise at the Green Chambers has established him as an excellent lawmaker, a pragmatic leader, and an endearing personality. His presence has become almost irresistible.

 Within his years as a lawmaker, and considering his restlessness in producing relevant legislations that promote Nigeria’s democracy and the general well-being of the country,  Kalu is fast becoming a shining light of our time.

His dedication to lawmaking, care, and attention to his people added the impetus for organising this programme. It was, therefore, no wonder that when the trumpet sound of his formal reception by his people was blared, the heraldic boom vibrated majestically across the country.

“Who is who” in Nigeria responded by momentarily relocating to his hometown to be part of this homecoming. For the notable personalities, the gatherings provided an opportunity for networking, socialising, and showcasing their support and recognition for this Bende prominent son.

The event, organised by the Peace In the Southeast Project (PISE-P) team, in collaboration with the Bende community, was so widespread that the reception ground, Bende Sports Arena, luxuriously decorated, struggled to accommodate the attendees.

Those in attendance were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubrin Barau who was there on behalf of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, along with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Others present were all the Governors of Southeast, past and present, Traditional Royal fathers, such as the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Chairman of the Occasion); the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Sultan of Sokoto represented by the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero, and Oba Rufus Olarewaju, Ajayi Ogidi Olu Arilewola 11, Oba of Ogbomina Ekiti Tapa kingdom, Ekiti State.

Similarly, in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and other notable figures from various sectors including Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All-Progressive Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru, National secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and past and present members of the National and State Assemblies.

The gathering also included successful business magnates, with over 10 billionaires present, such as Mr Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace; Oil and Energy Magnet, Chief Emeka Offor; Prof Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airline; Chief SC Okafor, Chairman and founder of Chicason Group of companies; Dr. Godbless Iruani, Owner of Azikel Group; Sir Godfrey Nnamdi Ohuabunwa, fmr Chairman of BON; the Managing Director of Nepal Energies, Ngozi Ekeoma; Chief Atan Achonu, Senator Chris Adighije and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

Other attendees were former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika; fmr. Governors of Imo State, Sir Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Osita Izunaso, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, former Minister of State for Mines and Steels Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah,  former minister of state for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh; former Minister for Labour, Emeka Nwogu; members of the Abia State Executive Council and Traditional Rulers, top Military brass and Police officers of the country, the Media, amongst others.

At his local government level, they came in their hundreds from the 99 autonomous communities that make up this oldest and largest undivided Local Government Area in Nigeria, comprising their leaders and followers.  

For the first time, many of them saw in person those personalities they had previously only seen on TV or in magazines and newspapers. Some had only heard their names and activities on the radio. 

The homecoming reception for their illustrious son gave them a rare opportunity to meet these high-level personalities face-to-face, providing some of them with bragging rights among their peers who were unable to attend the function.

The community was filled with excitement as everyone joined the celebrant in thanksgiving. They hailed him, and danced with him in the arena, in an expression of their deep love, pride, and appreciation for their son who is doing a lot for them in terms of welfare, the attraction of development infrastructure, job creation, and above all, being Nigeria’s number six citizen, which is a significant position in the national leadership hierarchy. Several times, cannons loaded with gunpowder were fired in a gun salute fashion to welcome dignitaries. 

 During the occasion, PISE-P and its eight pillars were formally unveiled. The Project is an initiative of the members of the 10th National Assembly from the Southeast, led by the Deputy Speaker. The project, which is a transformative five-year initiative seeks an end to the persistent insecurity in the Southeast that the end should come through a non-kinetic approach.

Again, PISE-P is a response to the detrimental effects of agitations, economic downturns, and security issues hence adopting a multi-stakeholder approach to restore peace and stimulate the region.

A thanksgiving service preceded the reception where the presiding Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International in his sermons admonished Igbos to collectively fight to change the narrative of insecurity in the region. 

He called for an end to blood spills on the streets of Southeast and extolled the virtues of the Deputy Speaker for not only driving the PISE-P initiative but also for his enormous contributions to the people of Southeast. He prayed for the return of an enduring peace in the region.

The reception had several speeches and conferment of Chieftaincy titles on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, amongst others.   

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, praised Kalu for his role in initiating and driving the Southeast project, clarifying that the greatest desire of the people of Southeast is peace.

“The greatest desire of the people of Southeast is peace because peace is a basis of development. Peace and reconciliation start today”, the revered traditional leader declared, while calling for a collective effort to end the crises.

“We just have to join forces and make things happen. We want peace and reconciliation in Igboland. Our strength is in what we can do for ourselves”, he added.  

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas praised Kalu, his Deputy, for initiating PISE-P describing the project as a “historic and patriotic endeavour” He said that peace in the South-East was invariably, the peace and progress of entire Nigeria; noting that the project was borne out of his deputy’s deep love for the zone and profound concern over the rise of insecurity, “which has cast a dark shadow over the region.” 

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was also full of praises for the Deputy Speaker. Iwunayanwu, who pledged the commitment of the Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide to PISE-P, thanked President Tinubu and VP Shettima for their disposition toward restoring peace to the South-East. According to him Ndigbo “are not asking for too much but equity and justice.” He then appealed to President Tinubu and his administration to speedily address all the causes of agitation and tension in the South-East to ensure a lasting peace in the region.

In his vote of thanks, Kalu said that the PISE-P initiative, “ultimately canvasses the adoption of a non-kinetic approach to resolving the problem of insecurity in the zone”, adding that the project was also aimed at promoting reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts. He counselled Igbo youths to renounce violence and embrace peace, promising that the Government would give them attention.

 “The journey towards peace is not a destination. It is an ongoing process that requires our unflinching commitment and dedication. We must continue to foster inclusivity, promote social justice, and empower our youth. We must invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. We must create opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. And above all, we must cultivate a culture of peace, respect, and understanding”, Kalu had said.

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The journey towards peace is not a destination. It is an ongoing process that requires our unflinching commitment and dedication. We must continue to foster inclusivity, promote social justice, and empower our youth. We must invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure