Kalu: Committed to People-oriented Legislative Frameworks

UDORA ORIZU WRITES THAT THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HON. BENJAMIN KALU, IS COMMITTED TO CHAMPIONING PEOPLE-ORIENTED LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS THAT ADDRESS THE YEARNINGS OF THE CITIZENRY.

Agreat leader’s courage to fulfil his vision comes from passion, not position, says John C. Maxwell. One leader in Nigeria presently that exemplifies this quote is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. A man of  impetuous passion, Kalu always exhibits enthusiasm, love and empathy in advancing the cause of the people. 

As a representative of the National Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House understands that to give real service, you must add something that cannot be bought or measured with money, hence his commitment to championing legislative and policy frameworks that address the yearnings of the citizenry.

Since he emerged Deputy Speaker in June 2023, the Abia born lawmaker resumed his second term in office hitting the ground running, consolidating, thriving and within the last one year has impressively surpassed his previous enviable legislative outings.

The fulcrum of Kalu’s legislative interventions is on the welfare and well-being of Nigerians. On a daily basis, he engages in many activities geared towards the betterment of the citizens.

In the last 18 months, Enyi Abia as he’s fondly called stands tall, sponsoring over 100 important bills, with one assented to by President Bola Tinubu, some have been passed by the House and Senate while others are awaiting first or second reading or at the Committee stage. 

As a people-oriented leader, Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency, reintroduced the South-East Development Commission Bill which was rejected by previous assemblies. The bill sought to address the socio- economic and infrastructural deficit in the South-East caused by the civil war.

He worked tirelessly with his colleagues from South-East who co-sponsored the bill and eventually the 54-year-old jinx was broken by President Bola Tinubu who signed it into law.

Kalu expressed optimism that the Act which is already being implemented with the board constituted said the South East Development Commission (SEDC) will actualise the aspirations of the people of the region.

Another laudable legislation is the bill seeking, among others, to alter the relevant sections of the 1999 constitution to pave the way for states to establish their policing outfits.

The Deputy Speaker at a national dialogue on the bill assured that the national assembly will provide the right frameworks, legislations and oversight that will make state policing work better for Nigerians.

He expressed optimism that through collaborative efforts and a commitment to evidence-based solutions, the parliament can establish a policing system that is not only effective in combating crime but also earns the trust of Nigerians and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

As an accomplished lawyer who believes in quick dispensation of justice, the lawmaker as well as seven others, sponsored a Bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Act to provide for an increase in the number of Judges in the FCT High Courts.

The Bill which passed for second reading on November 21, 2024 seeks to address a fundamental aspect of the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice, which is an increase of the number of judges in the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, from the current maximum of 75 to a minimum of 100.

Another key bill he sponsored was the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Eye Centre Act, Cap. N38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Establishment of More Specialist Eye Care Centresand for Other Related Matters.

Some of his other notable legislations include, “University of Nigerian Languages, Aba (Establishment, etc) bill, 2024, which seeks to upgrade the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State to a University of Nigerian Languages, Bill for an Act to Provide a Policy Framework for the Development of Bio-Fuels Energy Industry in Nigeria; Establish the Bio-Fuels Energy Regulatory Commission; Establish the Bio-Fuels Research Agency and many others.

“Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Capital Territory Education Resource Centre Charged with the Responsibility To, Among Other Things, Plan and Implement Curriculum; Measure and Evaluate Students and Other Applicants for Placement into Schools Under the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory; and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 To Strengthen the Act, Prosecute Violators, and Stiffen the Punishment for Offenders; And for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Universities Commission Act, Cap. N81, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and to Enact the National Universities Commission Act for the Purposes of Establishing the National Universities Commission; to Reform the Nigerian University System in Line with Modern Realities and International Best Practices; and for Related Matters and so many others.”

When he’s not busy making laws for the betterment of the lives of the people, the Deputy Speaker is focused on pursuing policy actions to combat global warming and prepare for its impacts.

Just last month, Kalu beamed searchlight on the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and erosion, calling for data on the internally displaced persons in Nigeria as well as those in the neighbouring countries rendered homeless by natural disasters.

He made the call while playing host to the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, Tijani Ahmed, in Abuja.

His words, “We are charging your commission to give us the total report on the plight of Nigerians currently all across the country. So, let the commission have an intervention fund dedicated to doing the proper needs analysis so that as we do the budget, we look into it. This is part of the oversight function. So, get us a report on that. Your mandate includes refugees and the IDPs. You can’t be internally displaced only through war or crisis. You can be internally displaced through climate-induced displacement and that’s what we are experiencing now. The climate is at war with us. So, the issue of mitigation and adaptation is something that, as a government, we must take seriously but in doing that, agencies like you which manage the consequences of these climate impacts need to be aware that it’s beyond what we are seeing currently.”

At a recent roundtable with international nongovernmental organisations(INGOs) in a programme titled, ‘Through their eyes: A call to action, addressing humanitarian challenges in the South East’ the Deputy Speaker lamented that the South East geo-political zone is facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of ecological challenges in different parts of the zone.

The programme, which was organised by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) was intended to explore avenues to deliver sustainable solutions to ecological problems in the area.

Kalu, who decried the displacement of people across the five states in the South East by natural disasters like gully erosion and violence, stressed the need for a collaborative approach to address the plights of the people

He recognised the role of international organisations in addressing the challenges of ecological disasters, saying, “From food distribution to improving healthcare access, your interventions have touched the lives of millions. Additionally, your advocacy for marginalised groups, funding for local projects, and systemic support have provided critical relief and long-term opportunities.

He said, “The Southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, characterised by displacement, violence, and ecological challenges. Report presented today underscores the grim realities: over 268,000 internally displaced persons are spread across 158 camps and affected communities. The states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi bear the brunt of this crisis, with precarious living conditions leaving many without access to clean water, adequate shelter, healthcare, and education.

“Shelter, in particular, remains a pressing concern. Families live in makeshift camps or overcrowded host communities and are exposed to health risks, insecurity, and a loss of dignity. Natural disasters like gully erosion have destroyed homes, leaving little to return to. This crisis demands not only immediate intervention but also sustainable strategies to restore stability and hope.”

Kalu embodies the attributes of people-oriented leader, as his legislative trajectory shows that he’s focused on the people, their needs, development, and wellbeing. 

He’s committed to the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities to his constituents and Nigerians at large, and he’s doing that with utmost ardor and love.

–Orizu is media aide to House Deputy Speaker.