Kalu’s 54th birthday highlights a trail of national achievements. Find out how he’s shaping Nigeria’s future with strategic, people-driven leadership.
When Aristotle defined excellence as a habit, it’s as if he foresaw the exemplary life and career of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The philosopher’s timeless wisdom – that we are what we repeatedly do – perfectly captures the Deputy Speaker’s consistent pursuit of excellence. Through his tireless dedication to public service, legislative prowess, and unwavering commitment to the people, Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives embodies the very essence of excellence. His remarkable track record is a testament to the power of habit and character, inspiring countless individuals and cementing his legacy as a true leader.
In life, there are peaks, valleys, wilderness, and renewal, which are always the yardsticks towards bringing out the best in every mankind. It is therefore important to say that for such to become a reality, it must have a touch of excellence.
The life of Benjamin Okezie Kalu has been that which is entwined to render excellent leadership to mankind. As an excellent legislature, Kalu has moved a lot of bills and motions. Some of the bills have been signed into law, which have improved the economic and social development of the country.
A peep into the rarefied prowess of the Deputy Speaker will reveal a man who has the political sagacity and is ever ready to contribute his quota to the development of his country.
At 54, the Deputy Speaker, has opened the eyes of many, especially the youth to see the need to put Nigeria first, wherever they find themselves, while rendering relentless services laced with a touch of excellence.
Upon assuming his position as the Deputy Speaker in June, 2023, he hits the ground running by initiating the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), with his colleagues from the Southeast extraction in the National Assembly, aimed at seeking for a lasting peace through a non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery and other anti-social activities in the Southeast region. So far, PISE-P has been able to touch lives positively.
Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker, through his excellent performance ensured that the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) bill was signed into law by President Tinubu.This is a landmark achievement. Unprecedented. The SEDC, as established, will assist greatly in tackling years of underdevelopment in the region. It will, among other things, help in addressing decayed infrastructure, health facilities, insecurity, ecological and environmental issues, poor road networks, dilapidated buildings, and other public utilities.
It’s important to note that his Bende Federal constituency has been turned into a massive construction site with health centers, primary schools, roads with proper drainage, and street lights dotted over the communities.
Incidentally, the Deputy Speaker is also the Chairman of Constitutional Review Committee of the House; and efforts are ongoing to realize a holistic review of the constitution to make room for a seat reservation for women in parliament, establishment of State Police, Local Government Autonomy, Transition to Parliamentary System etc.
It was due to his excellent performance that his Alma mater, the University of Calabar, recently honored him with the request to be the guest lecturer during the institution’s 50th anniversary and convocation lecture, with a title OUR GOWN IN TOWN AND IN CYBERSPACE: Sustainable and Human-Centred Education, The Mandate of our Universities, 2025-2075.
A few days ago, the DS launched the Renewed Hope Partners in Umuahia, Abia State, with more than 400,00 participants. He used the occasion to appeal to the Igbos to invest their votes and align with the government at the center for better democratic dividends.
He further convened the first conference of Nigerian Former Legislators Forum (NFLF), southeast zone that saw over 1000 attendees and representatives from all the geopolitical zones. He told the former legislators that their wealth of experience will be put to use in shaping and advancing democratic ideas as well as seeking ways to address their welfare.
On the international scene, the Deputy Speaker is also making a huge impact.
As a man so passionate about the pain of IDPs, the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, while speaking as one of the panelists on April 16, 2025, at a high-level United Nation’s virtual event on IDPs plight and Kampala Convention Domestication, explained that he is concerned about the IDPs plight and that in a bid to ensure they are not permanently displaced in their own country, he is actively seeking for ways to domesticate the Kampala Convention, through a proposed bill he personally sponsored, stressing that President Tinubu’s administration, has proactively activated key issues of the treaty to significantly enhance the living conditions of IDPs.
Similarly, in his address at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, Kalu’s excellent leadership quality also came to the fore as he reeled out some of the remarkable achievements of the Nigerian government which is in line with global achievements, while elevating Nigerian standing before the international bodies. His speech evoked hope and the belief of a nation in transformation and not of the negative narrative being bandied by those who are not conversant with the workings of governance.
He hinted that the Nigerian government has done a lot, such as the establishment of regional development commissions, which will help to address peculiar regional issues in Nigeria. The Students Loan Act, which eventually gave birth to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), quality healthcare delivery, among other numerous achievements.
Also, it will be heartwarming to note that the Deputy Speaker is a member of many international legist organizations where he also chairs critical committees. He chairs the Finance and Administrative Committee of the Economic and West African States Parliament. He is the Chairman, African Union Parliament’s Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee, a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a member steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO). Kalu’s participation in the PCWTO steering committee is indeed, inspiring. These and many exploits of the DS have been able to manifest due to the cordial and harmonious relationship he has enjoyed with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass and his colleagues in the House.
Kalu is also well read. He has garnered robust academic qualifications over the years. He holds a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons), Masters of Law (LL.M), Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), etc.
He is a devoted Christian who loves God and the things of God and is always looking for what more to add in order to advance God’s work. A dedicated family man, he is happily married with lovely children.
As Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, clocks 54, let his excellent leadership qualities continue to emblazon for the betterment of humanity.
Ukoha was a former Minority Whip of Abia State House of Assembly.
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