In this part of the clime, where politicians are seen as that class of people who speak from both sides of the mouth; at their best, they say one thing and do the opposite, but in general terms, the public frequently see them and aptly too, as non-keepers of promise. However, one man has stood out from the crowd.
That one man, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State and founder of SLOK group has remained as constant as the Northern star in trying to erase that uncomplimentary notion. To him, deceit and lies which breed unfulfilled promises should not be the barometer to measure a politician, rather a politician should at all times work the talk and be the man that keeps to his words.
Kalu demonstrated this when he was at the helm of affairs in Abia State and has carried this condour on today in a more committed manner to the bewilderment of those who do not know him too well, but not to the surprise of those who knew him closely.
On March 11 this year, he was invited by the Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to deliver a lecture during the students’ week. He accepted the invitation and not only did he give the lecture but he equally pledged to donate computer sets to the department in response to earlier request made by the students.
As a man whose word is always his bond, Kalu kept to that promise. On August 20, he kept date with history when in fulfilment of that promise donated 30 computer sets (20 desk tops and 10 lap tops) to the department. The former governor of Abia State went beyond making good his promise by equally making a more deafening promise.
Speaking before making the donation Kalu was at his best when he promised that as from the next academic session, his NGO, the OUK Foundation would give the best overall graduating student of UNN the sum of N500, 000 while the best graduating students in the School of Social Sciences and the Department of Economics would each receive N250, 000. This, he said, was not only to encourage students to attend classes, but also to take their studies seriously. These rewards, he stated would be for life. “I will give these rewards yearly throughout my life.”
While donating the computer sets, Kalu said the sets were products of his company, SLOK Technology and that they were 100 per cent local content.
The computer sets according to Kalu were the first to be produced by his company, informing that in less than six weeks, Nigerian markets would be flooded with SLOK Technology computer products which he was of the opinion, were going to make the difference.
In expressing his desire further to help institution overcome some of its teething problems; Kalu said SLOK Technology would be willing to partner with UNN; a partnership he said would enable every student of the university to have the company’s computer set at reduced prices.
Kalu stated that he had no doubt in his mind that the computer sets he donated, some of which he said should be kept at the Vice Chancellor’s office, would enhance teaching and learning in the university.
He promised “to do more for UNN because it is the heart of Igbo man and that’s why The Sun Newspapers projects it more than any university in the country.”
Kalu further spoke of his desire to help humanity by creating more jobs for our teeming youths through the establishment of more industries. “I am going to industrialise Igbere and Abia State in general so that our youths will get what to do when they leave school and by this, reduce the rate of crime in our society. At present, we are test-running our Aluminium Industry in Aba and we are going to use it to reduce the unemployment rate.”
Kalu’s fulfilment of his earlier promise and the later one he made were received with ecstasy by the university’s Vice Chancellor, lecturers and students of the department of Economics and indeed the entire students of the university. All eulogized Kalu who they described as an astute politician, successful businessman and a great philanthropist.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozurumba who had received Kalu in his office earlier on arrival spoke in glowing terms about the former governor of Abia State who he said outside his political exploits had given voice to the voiceless in the country by the establishment of The Sun Newspapers and New Telegraph Newspapers, two media outfits he said were doing very well.
Describing UNN as not only the first university in the country, but a role model which other universities are looking forward to be like, Prof Ozurumba said he had to reschedule most of his engagements for the day due to the coming of Kalu who he said conquered his world at an early stage of his life, to show the respect the university community had for him (Kalu).
Prof Ozurumba expressed delight over the donation made by Kalu and the further promise he made to yearly reward graduating students of the university, saying that the former governor was unlike most politicians who make promises but find it difficult to fulfil them.
Chairman on the occasion, Prof N.I Ikwueze poured encomiums on Kalu for touching the lives of people when he was the governor of Abia State even when he had left office, stating that that was the hallmark of any good man.
Ikwueze said he was not surprised that kalu came to fulfill the promise he made earlier to the department of Economics because according to him, he followed the young man closely when he was governor and came to realise he never fail on his promises.
The head of department, Prof C.C Agu said they could not thank the former governor enough for coming the first time to give them an incisive lecture and repeating the visit this time around to fulfill the earlier promise he made and then making further promises to the department and the university at large.
He said Kalu’s philanthropic gesture to the department would remain a reference point for generations to come and urged him to continue his good works to humanity.
The students of the department under the aegis of National Association of Economics Students (NESA) were in no less way appreciative of what the former governor had done for them.
Presenting an address on behalf of the students, the president of NESA, Eze Peter Ogbonna described the day as “as the second coming of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu” who he eulogised for making outstanding contributions to the department.
Ogbonna said, “On March 11, 2014, like a lion, Dr. Kalu roared into the den and after spending some precious and priceless time consociating with us, His Excellency out of benevolence and philanthropic gestures promised to leave a large foot print in the department of Economics and in the words of late Oliver de coque, ‘Omego ife okwelu anyi na nkwa’ (he has fulfilled his promise).
“Dr. Kalu has single handed given us the victory over what we will not be disappointed with, his benevolence has come to us at the prime time, a time when computer and its accessories are fast changing how we learn and what we learn, how we live and also how we die.” The NESA president described Kalu as a man with the largest shoes who would be difficult to be competed with, a man who saw tomorrow and a man who believes that for a society to make progress it needs progressive and vibrant press which he said had been found in The Sun and New Telegraph Newspapers.
He asked for more abundant blessings on Kalu as he continues to remember the department in particular and the university in general. T Nwanya he students as a way of expressing their joy danced round their Department as they sang Kalu’s praises.
Kalu was accompanied to UNN by Senator Emma Onwe, Hon. Edozie Madu, Chief E.O Ndukwe, Chief Ndubuisi Anyim and Chief Emma Ibegbulam. Others include Ebere Wabara, media adviser; Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Personal Assistant to Kalu; Dr. C.C Okwuonu and Princewill Ukaegbu, former Umuahia North Local Government chairman
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