Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, is the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he represents the Bende Federal
Constituency of Abia State.

He is a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international
businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development.

Kalu’s career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
He began as Chairman, Bende Local Government Area of Abia state, and later served as Executive
Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
International Relations before rising to national prominence in the House of Representatives. First
elected in 2019, he distinguished himself serving as the Chairman, House Committee on Media
and Public Affairs as well as the Spokesperson of the House; role he handled with clarity,
diplomacy and excellence.

As Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee
on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) he leads one of the most consequential
national assignments, shaping constitutional reforms that deepen democracy, promote inclusion, and
national unity.

He also represents Nigeria on the global stage as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament
Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; Member of the Pan-African
Parliament; Steering Committee Member of the WTO Parliamentary Conference; and Member of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Academically, Kalu is deeply grounded. He holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Calabar and
a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja. He also earned an LL.M
in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law (with Distinction) from the University of Calabar,
an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
Kalu has further enriched his expertise through executive programs at prestigious institutions,
including; Leadership for the 21st Century, Harvard Kennedy School, USA, Governance &
Development Program, Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, USA,
Environmental Crimes, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
(UNICRI), Italy, Migration and Human Rights, John Cabot University, Italy, Illicit
Trade, University of Groningen, Netherlands, International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK.

His scholarly contributions include published works on climate adaptation policy, food security,
and security sector reforms in Africa, underscoring his role as a scholar-practitioner bridging
research and governance.

In the private sector, Kalu has held various leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and
Australia including as Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD
(Sydney), and Belcarbon SA (Belgium). He also serves as Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP
(Nigeria), where he advises on commercial law, arbitration, and international business strategy.

Kalu’s passion for peace and development finds expression in the Peace in the South East Project
(PISE-P), an initiative he convened to promote dialogue, inclusivity, and non-kinetic solutions to
security challenges in Nigeria’s South East. His humanitarian footprint also extends through
the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, which for over two decades has provided interventions
in healthcare, education, and empowerment for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
conferred on him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands as a visionary leader for the 21st century blending law,
policy, diplomacy, and humanitarianism to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous
Nigeria, Africa, and world.

By Editor, Umuahia

The Annual general meeting of the online media publishers association of Nigeria, Abia State will feature the investiture of patrons on some select persons who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

One of the patrons is Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah.

Born on the 16th of June, 1980, to the family of late Wilson and Ogbonneya Ogah of Onuaku, Uturu, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, he acquired his early education at Udoka Primary School Awka, in Anambra State, Nnachi High School in Enugu State, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in economics from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Driven by passion for service, socio-economic upliftment and job creation which has consistently marked his journey, he served as the executive director of seven subsidiary companies under the Pauli-Mama Group of Companies and other companies outside the group.

“Aguneche Ibe” as he is fondly called, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economics, a Member of the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce (NACC), and a member of the Global Trade Club of Spain.

In 2019, Amobi Ogah was called upon by the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to represent them at the House of Representative but later withdrew his aspiration to pave way for his immediate predecessor serving for a record 4th term.

On February 25th, 2023, Amobi yielded to yet another call from the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to seek election, hence, he was overwhelmingly voted into office as the Member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the platform of the Labour Party.

His resounding victory ended the 16 years reign of his predecessor, a victory which is widely described as one of the greatest political upset of the 2023 election.

At the 10th Assembly, Hon Ogah is the Chairman, House Committee on Infectious Diseases. He has demonstrated impeccable character and capacity in his legislative mandate with several motions, bills, and oversight responsibilities to his credit.

Some of the Bills include: the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato Abia State; Creation Of Uturu-Chieze Local Government Area; Creation of Etiti State; Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uturu, Abia State; Tuberculosis (anti-discrimination) Bill, Private Institutions and Health Care Services Providers (prohibition) Bill; Fifty-Year National Economic Plan Act for Nigeria; as well as the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS Act (amendment) Bill.

Ogah is a philanthropist who is in tune with the yearnings of his constituents, having empowered many, including women and youths of his constituency with skills for self-reliance

He has enrolled several youths on full-funded educational scholarship, with infrastructural upgrade of his constituency cutting across roads, medical outreach, health facilities, constructed markets and several other facilities to improve the quality of life.

In similitude, Hon Ogah has organized series of empowerment programmes to cushion the economic hardship of his constituents. Some of these include; the 2019 empowerment outreach; 2024 empowerment programme held on the 16th of November, as well as the recently organized 1-billion-naira empowerment of his constituents held on December 6th, 2025, where cars, mini buses, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and many other items of economic boost were distributed.

Hon Amobi Ogah is married to a supportive wife, Maureen and the union is blessed with children.

By Editor, Umuahia

The family of Nze Samuel Nmaralam Igbokwe of Wowo Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, has formally commenced the burial preparations for their late matriarch, Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe (née Ogu), fondly known as Peace Kwulechi, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 60.

The burial rites begin Friday, December 5, 2025 with a service of songs at her Lagos residence at 34 Road, A’Close, House 13, Gowon Estate.

According to the programme released by the family, the funeral activities will continue with a Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Friday, 9th January 2026 at the Igbokwe country home in Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha.

The rites will progress on Saturday, 10th January 2026 with the departure of the body from the mortuary, followed by lying-in-state at her residence and thereafter procession to Wesley Cathedral, for funeral service.

Interment follows after the service at the family compound, and a reception at Umuawa Central School.

A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, 11th January 2026 at Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) appreciated friends, relatives, and well-wishers for their support as the family begins the solemn journey of laying their matriarch to rest.