Speaker House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday paid a private visit to Chief Whip of the Senate ; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to celebrate Mrs. Ifunanya Kalu who clocked a year older on Monday,26th October .
Gbajabiamila was received by Kalu and his wife, Ifunanya at exactly 5 PM in their Abuja residence.
It will be recalled that Mrs Kalu was celebrated by notable Nigerians and received tons of ecomiums from family, friends, business and political associates who converged at her Abuja residence to celebrate with her.
Speaker , Gbajabiamila who was in Lagos during the celebration was the only principal officer in National Assembly that was not present in the event .
President of the Nigerian Senate ; Senator Ahmed Lawan had during the event described Mrs Kalu as “shining example” to many women.
Senator Lawan graced the event alongside the deputy President of the Senate ; Senator Ovie Omo Agege . The Senate President extolled the roles played by Mrs. Ifunanya in the life of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu . He pointed out how supportive she was during the six months incarceration of Senator Kalu at the Kuje correctional custodial centre.
Mrs Kalu’s birthday celebration was preceded by a Holy Mass celebration held at the private Catholic chapel at the Aso-Villa residence of the Kalus , where they were joined by immediate family members and friends. The mass was officiated by Rev Fr Mike Okonkwo and Fr Francis Mario at Kalu’s Catholic Private Chapel .
The birthday reception which was expected to be a low key celebration attracted the attendance of various dignitaries drawn from the business and political sector.
They include; the leadership of the upper and lower legislative arms led by Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; also among the dignitaries was the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Ahmed Idris Wase and the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.
Also present were a former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rt Honourable Emeka Ihedioha; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his wife, Sulola; the Minister of Power, Mamman Saleh; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; the Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
The roll call also included serving and former senators and Members of the House of Representatives. Amongst them were the Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Borrofice, Rochas Okorocha, Sam Egwu, Chukwuka Utazi, Akon Eyakenyi, Elisha Abbo, Peter Nwaoboshi, Chimaroke Nnnamani, Michael Nnachi, Umar Sadiq, Chris Adighije, Lee Maeba, Uche Ekwumife, Nkechi Nwaogu, and Hon. Benjamin Kalu among others.
