Former Governor Of Abia State And Senator Representing Abia-North Senatorial District Hosts OUR TEAM 1999-2007.
Wednesday (Nkwo) 08-01-2025.
In a very rare development, former Governor of Abia State, 1999-2007, and Senator representing Abia-North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Most Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, played host to a large number of Politicians who occupied prominent elective and appointive positions between 1999 and 2007 in Abia State, today.
Also amongst those hosted were Permanent-Secretaries and Heads of Local Government Councils in the Unified Local Government Service of Abia State.
In his opening remarks, Senator Kalu stated that, by way of nostalgia, he felt that those who worked at different levels of Abia political and economic development between 1999 and 2007 deserve a pat on the back. He recollected that OUR TEAM 1999-2007 was quite a formidable team that worked relentlessly to lay a very strong foundation for restoration of democratic governance in Abia State, after sixteen years of consecutive Military dictatorship in Nigeria. He said hosting that Great TEAM was a humble way of showing appreciation for the collective efforts of the TEAM in making sure that a solid foundation was laid for a democratic take-off in Abia State in 1999.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, however, made it clear that the said TEAM of 1999-2007, christened OUR TEAM 1999-2007, was not a Political Platform. He acknowledged that many Members of the TEAM now belong to different Political Parties and will not be coerced into belonging to any Political Party that was not their choice.
In appreciation of Senator Kalu’s worthy initiative, the immediate-past National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Dr Victor Oye, who was not just a close Aide of Senator Kalu when he was Governor but also a Confidant of the former Governor, and who had come all the way from his home State of Anambra to honour Senator Kalu’s invitation, commended Senator Kalu for remembering, in a very special way, Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007. He said that any person who had worked closely with Senator Kalu acquired a wealth of experience that could see such a person attain very high heights. He urged Senator Kalu to sustain the spirit of Reunion with Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007.
A former Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr George Nanna Kalu, and a former Chairman of Abia State Local Government Service Commission, Dr P. C. Mba, both of who served under Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as Governor, and who spoke on behalf of Abia-North, were glad Senator Kalu considered playing host to Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007, and expressed delight that the Senator does not forget those he had met at any time in his political journey.
From Abia-Central Senatorial District, Pastor Emeka Inyama, who served as a Commissioner for Sports during the Administration of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, and Chief Friday Onukwue, who was elected Chairman of Isialangwa-North Local Government Council in 1998 and sworn-in in 1999, appreciated Senator Kalu for being a Leader with a considerate heart. They wished him well in all his endeavours.
A former Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly in the 2nd Abia State House of Assembly and later a Commissioner for Works during the tenure of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Rt Hon Emeka Stanley, and the Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Council between 1999 and 2002, Chief Isaac Ogbonna, spoke on behalf of Abia-South Senatorial District. Like earlier speakers, they eulogized Senator Kalu for always being people-oriented in his approach to Leadership, Politics, and Human Relationship.
Other Speakers included a former Secretary to the State Government under Governor Kalu, Pastor Raph Egbu, a former Chairman of Isialangwa-South Local Government Council, under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Professor A C B Agbazuere, Alhaji Musa Iheakaram, who was Chairman of Moslem Pilgrim’s Board under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, and who spoke on behalf of the Moslem Community in Abia State, a former Chairman of Isuikwuato Local Government Council, Dame Amarachi Dede, a former Commissioner in Abia State Local Government Service Commission, Elder (Mrs) Felicia Dimgba, a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Mrs Chinyere Arisa, popularly known as Charly Oscar, former Executive Director in charge of Adult Education, Chief (Mrs) Nnenna Obewu, Esq, a retired Permanent-Secretary, and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Esochai, a former Head of Service in Abia State Unified Local Government Service, Rev (Mrs) Jemaima Ola Kalu, and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Professor (Mrs) Ihuoma Ndimele. They all commended Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for conceiving the idea of the Reunion.
The Reunion set up a Seven-man Committee to draft a Communiqué, made up of, Dr Victor Oye, as Chairman, Sir Don Ubani, as Secretary, Chief Emma Omokwe, as Member, Pastor Emeka Inyama, as Member, Rev (Mrs) Jemaima Ola Kalu, as Member, and Chief Okezie Erondu, as Member.
Subsequently, a Seven-point Communiqué was issued, and unanimously adopted by OUR TEAM 1999-2007, as reflects below;
(1) That OUR TEAM 1999-2007 will meet annually, and may meet more if the need arises, to galvanize support for the propagation of collective interest of Abia State, and, of course, Nigeria,
(2) That notices for future meetings be sent on time while conscientious efforts should be made to assure that those who did not attend today’s inaugural meeting will be invited to attend the next one,
(3) That the scope of the Agenda of the meeting be expanded to accommodate healthier ideas that can engender growth, visibility, unity and relevance to the TEAM,
(4) That all Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007 should work cohesively to foster continued existence of the Group, as a way of furthering its interest and future plans,
(5) That since Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007 belong to different Political Parties, no particular Political Party shall be adopted as Political Party of preference by the TEAM,
(6) That The TEAM will always strive to promote good governance, equity, justice and fairness in Abia State, nay, Nigeria, and
(7) That the Initiator and Convener of the maiden meeting of OUR TEAM 1999-2007, H E, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, be commended for his vision in conceiving the idea of the Reunion.
The Reunion was rounded off with a group photograph of Members of OUR TEAM 1999-2007 that were present.
As is typical of him, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu depicted his usual magnanimity by entertaining his guests lavishly, and letting them depart with different gift items.
Before the meeting was brought to a close, the Hon Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr (Mrs) Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who said she had had many engagements all the day drove in, and equally commended Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for initiating the Reunion.
Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP.
