Prominent leaders from Abia State, including lawyers, traditional rulers, businessmen, political, youth and women leaders, have lauded the sterling performance of the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing the achievements of the former Abia State governor as unprecedented in the history of the senatorial district.
The commendation comes a day after the lawmaker was once again honoured with the Senate Press Corps Award for Constituency Development.
The award by the Senate Press Corps marks the third consecutive time the lawmaker has received the coveted honour.
The award ceremony, held on Monday at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, recognised Kalu’s exceptional contributions to infrastructure development and human empowerment in his constituency.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Mr James Itodo, explained why Kalu was selected for the award, stating:
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has consistently delivered tangible development projects and empowerment programmes in his senatorial district. His performance serves as a model of effective representation, driven by commitment and results.”
Itodo emphasised that Kalu’s impact in Abia North, coupled with his legislative contributions at the federal level, continues to distinguish him as a leading lawmaker.
Senator Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Privatisation, has earned praise for his infrastructural achievements and human empowerment efforts. The recognition adds to a series of awards the senator has received, including the Honorary Fellowship Award by the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) and the Progressive Leadership Award from the Progressive Movement for Better Nigeria.
In 2022, Kalu was similarly honoured as Best Senator of the Year in Constituency Projects by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Abuja Chapters. Additionally, OrderPaper.ng, a legislative monitoring platform, ranks Kalu as the top-performing senator from Abia State, with 25 bills to his credit, making him one of the most productive senators from the 2019 to 2022 legislative sessions.
The Duke of Umunneochi, Prince Ugochukwu Ezekwesiri, while commenting on Senator Orji Kalu’s performance in the 10th Senate, said the lawmaker has “done enough to have the first refusal options come 2027 in any capacity.”
“In terms of legislation and legislative oversight duties, I will say that Senator OUK has done an excellent job. He is more vocal now as a seasoned politician and a statesman.
“On Constituency Project implementation, OUK has outperformed all the past senators of Abia North in education, roads, and human capital development.
“Senator Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has indeed done enough to have the first refusal options come 2027 in any capacity he chooses to continue serving the people of Abia North, Abia State and Nigeria.
“I rate him 8/10.”
Prominent businessman, Chief Nnanna Ukaegbu, on his part, said Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is the consensus candidate of Abia State for Abia North Senatorial District in 2027, judging by his outstanding performance, pledging to donate N1 billion to support the re-election of Senator Kalu.
“We have never seen this kind of thing before in the history of Abia State. His performance is incredible and unprecedented. We appreciate him for making himself available as God’s working tool.”
The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, said:
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has demonstrated commendable leadership and dedication in the 10th Senate. His contributions to key national issues, particularly in the areas of economic development and legislative reforms, have been noteworthy. He has consistently advocated for policies that aim to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians, while also ensuring that his constituents are well represented. Overall, his performance in the Senate can be rated positively, reflecting his experience, commitment, and efforts to enhance the legislative process.”
Abia-born Pentecostal cleric, Bishop Silas Eke, said:
“Judging by the performance of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, all we can do now is for the entire [community] to rally round him and support him in his future endeavours. He has done excellently well, and we’re begging him to run again in 2027.”
A women leader and humanitarian, Barr. Rosemond Uche, said:
“I rate him (Senator Orji Uzor Kalu) as the Overall Best in Constituency delivery of infrastructural developments compared to his colleagues. He stands as one of the foremost, having to his credit more than 25 bills that are of great value to the country.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ohafia North State Constituency in the 2023 elections, Hon. Robinson Otuwe Kalu, described Senator Kalu as the best thing to have ever happened to Abia North Senatorial District.
“Our Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is the best thing that ever happened to Abia North. So if you come for a rating, I will give him 100% because he deserves it.”
Hon. Ojisi Iro Ogbaja, the Abia State Chairman of the OUK Movement, said:
“The history of senatorial representation in Abia North since 1999 has been marked by varied levels of performance and impact across the five local government areas (LGAs) of the district.
In 1999, Senator Ike Nwachukwu was elected to represent Abia North. He served for four years but left no significant impact across the LGAs during his tenure.
“Following his tenure, Senator Uche Chukwumerije took office from 2003 to 2015. His extended period in the Senate also recorded little or no tangible achievements within the five LGAs of Abia North.
“After Chukwumerije, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa assumed office from 2015 to 2019. Unfortunately, Mao followed the pattern of his predecessors, failing to effectively reach or impact the lives of the people.
“The underwhelming performances of these three Senators created an opportunity for a new wave of leadership. In 2019, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) emerged as the Senator representing Abia North. His tenure has been marked by unparalleled productivity and visible achievements, making him the most distinguished and celebrated Senator the district has produced since 1999.
“Due to his unique and selfless approach to governance, Senator Kalu has transformed the narrative of Abia North senatorial representation. His contributions include: infrastructure development; construction and rehabilitation of numerous rural roads across the five LGAs of Abia North; the Red Roof Revolution, which symbolises his commitment to revamping dilapidated school blocks in all primary schools across the district; installation of high-tech solar-powered streetlights in various rural communities, improving security and economic activities; and consistent and impactful programmes that directly improve the lives of his constituents, which he approaches as a personal calling.
“Senator Kalu’s presence in the Red Chamber has demonstrated his charismatic leadership and dedication to quality representation. His efforts have earned him the loyalty of the people, transcending party affiliations across the five LGAs of Abia North.
“Since his election in 2019, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has been a blessing and a God-sent leader to the people of Abia North. His unique performance and commitment to good governance have firmly established him as a trusted representative who is poised to be re-elected repeatedly by his constituents.”
On his part, the Abia State Chairman of the Reality Organisation, Barr. Peter Ndukwe, said:
“Distinguished Senator (Dr) Orji Uzor Kalu is phenomenal in the history of Abia politics, South East Nigeria and Nigeria at large. His credentials in terms of performance at the 10th Senate are unprecedented. He is credited as the best-performing Senator in the 10th Senate so far, the best-performing Senator of Abia extraction since the creation of Abia State, and, without contradiction, he is unparalleled and unrivalled in infrastructural development in the history of the Abia North Senatorial District. His giant strides are acknowledged even by his political enemies and detractors. OUK, as he is fondly called, is a blessing to the Abia North Senatorial District, South East Nigeria, and indeed Nigeria. He just won the Senate Press Corps Award as the best-performing Senator, an award he has won consecutively for the third time. All hail the indefatigable OUK.”
Legal practitioner and state secretary of the OUK Movement, Barr. Sam Ogbonna, said:
“H.E. Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s representation of the Abia North Senatorial Zone has shown that a Senator can impact the lives of his constituents. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is equal to none. He is a political Iroko who knows what he wants and how to go about it. The award he has won for the third time is not by accident. He deserves even more.”
Prominent community leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Engr. Emma Nwosu, said:
“Senator Orji Uzor is generally referred to as the most distinguished Senator, implying that he has exceptionally distinguished himself from others or colleagues.
“He has changed the narrative of representation in both arms of the National Assembly with his activities and results so far.
“He has and is still performing excellently well beyond people’s imagination, in every aspect of the developmental needs of the constituents and others, namely in education, infrastructure, human capital, and general human empowerment, to mention only a few.
“His overall performance so far has created doubt in many whether he belongs to the legislature and not the executive, whose primary function is to provide for the good and welfare of the people.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has indeed demonstrated leadership and representation in all ramifications to the people of the Abia North Senatorial District in particular and Nigeria in general.
“[I am] praying that God will continue to guide and equip him with wisdom in piloting the affairs of the committee assigned to him, ensuring quality representation and service to Nigeria.”
