Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, A New Age, Another Milestone!
By Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP
Okwubunka of Asa, and Okeamadi Gburugburu.
Tuesday (Nkwo) 21-04-2026.
As it pleases God and to His glory, the second Executive Governor of Abia State, 1999-2007, the Most Ranking Distinguished Senator, representing the very political vibrant people of Abia-North in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, clocks a new age today, Tuesday (Nkwo) 21st April, 2026.
Senator Kalu has been an Icon in different fields of human endeavour. As a young student at the University of Maiduguri, Senator Kalu, an Igbere-born Aba-groomed optimist, wasted no time in exhibiting his natural entrepreneurial dexterity by, after studying the economic opportunities that were available in Maiduguri and the entire North-East of Nigeria, embarking on Oil-Palm business. He bought Oil-Palm from the East, and taking maximum advantage of a very efficient railway service, hauled them in commercial quantity to the North. That was why at a very tender age, the quintessential Orji Uzor Kalu had started playing in the league of verifiable Millionaires.
On further survey of economic opportunities, Kalu had to leave Maiduguri for Lagos, where he developed deep lucrative interest in Furniture. From there, Kalu veered into Nigeria’s most profitable venture, Oil and Gas, using hus SLOK Company as his umbrella.
Knowing the strategic importance of Politics in Nigeria, in 1991 following the creation of Abia State, Kalu had his first stint in politics when he was elected into Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the platform of defunct National Republican Convention, NRC.
Despite the frustrations encountered by Politicians of that period, under the Military, Kalu, unlike many, did not allow himself to become despondent. He remained visionary, focused, determined and optimistic. By 1999, his determination paid off as he was overwhelmingly elected the second Executive Governor of Abia State, next only to late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Apart from many developmental achievements by his Administration, Kalu earned himself the sobriquet, Pillar of Sports in Africa. Through exceptional and unparalleled commitment of his, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba was not just only able to break the long jinx of Nigeria winning the elusive Confederation of African Federation Champions League in 2003 but was able to retain it back to back in 2004.
As a ranking Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu has proved to be exceptional in all sectors of his legislative engagements. So far, Kalu is next to none.
On behalf of OUR TEAM 1999-2023, a Socio-political Organization that is made up of all elected and appointive Politicians, Bureaucrats and Technocrats who served the good people of Abia State, at different tiers and arms of Government between 1999-2023, which is headed by His Excellency, the Most Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, with the inclusion of former Governors T A Orji, Ochendo, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, The Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, we congratulate Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on his new age. It is our prayer that this new age will flourish with higher wisdom and more commitment to human capacity development.
Bravo!
(1) Professor A.C.B Agbazuere
Chairman,
Technical Committee of OUR TEAM 1999-2023.
(2) Sir Don Ubani; KSC JP
Secretary of OUR TEAM 1999-2023.
