Benjamin Kalu Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Honourable
Benjamin Kalu
Office1:Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria
Term Start1:13 June 2023
1Namedata1:Tajudeen Abbas
Predecessor1:Ahmed Idris Wase
Office2:Member of the
House of Representatives of Nigeria
from Abia
Term Start2:11 June 2019
Constituency2:Bende
Nationality:Nigerian
Party:All Progressives Congress
Otherparty:Peoples Democratic Party
Progressive Peoples Alliance
Residence:Abuja, Nigeria
Occupation:Politician

Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria since 2023. He represents the Bende Federal Constituency.[1]

Life, Education and Political Career

Benjamin Okezie Kalu was born on May 5, 1971 in Agbamuzu, Bende Local Government Area[2] of Abia State, Nigeria.[3] He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University,[4] a Master of Law in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law (Distinction), and a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons.) from the University of Calabar. Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing his studies at the Nigeria Law School in Enugu State, Nigeria.

In addition to his formal education, Kalu has obtained several certifications in Migration and Human Rights from John Cabot University, Italy,[5] Illicit Trade from the University of Groningen, Netherlands,[6] Governance and Development from Miami Herbert Business School,[7] Miami University, USA,[8] Environmental Crimes from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Italy and International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB)[9] at the University of Oxford,[10] United Kingdom.

Kalu's political career began in 2002 when he contested for the House of Representatives primaries. He served as the Local Government Chairman (Transition) for Bende Local Government Area, Abia State and held various advisory roles to the then Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.[11] He has also served as the National Chapter President of the Peoples Democracy Party[12] in Diaspora, the youngest Local Government Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, and Senior Special Adviser to Theodore Orji on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Nigeria.

In 2011 and 2015, he contested for the House of Representatives elections, representing Progressive Peoples Alliance at that time, but lost in both elections.[13] [14] On 23 February 2019, Kalu, representing the ruling All Progressives Congress defeated Chima Anyaso of the People's Democratic Party and won the seat to represent Bende federal constituency, Abia State in the House of Representatives.[15] [16] [17] [18] He received 9,138 votes, while Anyaso received 5,591 votes.[19] Anyaso rejected the result of the election and challenged the victory of Kalu in the National and State Assembly Election Petitions tribunal, citing irregularities in the election.[20] [21] On 29 August 2019, the tribunal dismissed the petition for lacking merit and upheld the election of Kalu.[22] [23] After losing at the tribunal, Anyaso appealed the case at the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division. On 28 October 2019, the Appeal court upheld Kalu's election.[24] [25]

He was re-elected in 2023 and he is currently the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. His roles in the 10th Assembly include Chairman of the Constitution Review and Amendment Committee.

Legislative Activities

As the Spokesperson of the 9th Assembly,[26] Kalu proposed and supported various bills, motions, and acts, including the Acts Authentication Act[27] and the Nigerian Communications Act. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.[28]

Projects

Kalu is the convener of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE),[29] which aims to use non-kinetic means to resolve insecurity in the South East Region of Nigeria. He also led the Sudan Darfur Project in Australia for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, focusing on fundraising and providing orientation for refugees.

He is also the founder of the Benjamin Kalu Foundation,[30] a charity organization.

Personal life

Benjamin Okezie Kalu is married and has five children. He hails from Bende, Abia State, Nigeria.

Awards and Recognition

Membership

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-08-12. A First Time Legislator Who Mastered the Ropes. 2022-02-21. THISDAYLIVE. en-US.
  2. Web site: Agbamuzu, Bende - Postcode - 441113 - Nigeria Postcode . 2024-07-16 . www.nigeriapostcode.com.
  3. Web site: Home . 2024-07-16 . Official Website of the Abia State Government . en-US.
  4. Web site: It's time to achieve . 2024-07-16 . Oxford Brookes University . en.
  5. Web site: John Cabot Study Abroad and Degree Programs in Rome, Italy . 2024-07-16 . www.johncabot.edu . en.
  6. Web site: 2017-06-16 . University of Groningen - Top 100 University . 2024-07-16 . University of Groningen . en.
  7. Web site: Welcome to Miami Herbert Business School . 2024-07-16 . herbert.miami.edu . en.
  8. Web site: No. 3 Public for Undergrad Teaching . 2024-07-16 . Miami University . en.
  9. Web site: Ciarb Home . 2024-07-16 . www.ciarb.org . en-GB.
  10. Web site: University of Oxford . 2024-07-16 . www.ox.ac.uk.
  11. Web site: National Assembly Federal Republic of Nigeria . 2024-07-16 . nass.gov.ng.
  12. Web site: peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng - Bethesda, MD . 2024-07-16 . peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng . en.
  13. Web site: Orji Kalu'll not disappoint his people as senator –Ben Kalu. Sampson. Okey. 8 March 2019. The Sun Newspaper. 31 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Representatives Candidate Assures on Effective Representation in Abia. 2 March 2011. Duru. Ben. The Independent Newspaper. 31 May 2021.
  15. News: How I will work with Ikpeazu - Abia lawmaker, Kalu. Daily Post Nigeria. Emeruwa. Chijindu. 14 June 2019. 31 May 2021.
  16. Web site: Anyaso wins PDP's House of Rep seat for Bende Fed. 5 October 2018. 31 May 2021. Vanguard Newspaper.
  17. Web site: Bende Federal Constituency: Anyaso expresses confidence of PDP's Victory. Urowayino. Jeremiah. 12 February 2019. 31 May 2021. Vanguard Newspaper.
  18. Web site: PDP charts new path to recover Bende federal constituency seat from APC. 18 May 2021. Udeajah. Gordi. The Guardian Newspaper. 31 May 2021.
  19. Web site: Orji Kalu wins Abia North seat, Onyejiocha wins Reps. Okoli. Anayo. 24 February 2019. 31 May 2021. Vanguard Newspaper.
  20. Web site: BREAKING: Benjamin Kalu defeats Chima Anyaso at tribunal. 29 August 2019. ABN TV. 31 May 2021.
  21. Web site: Kalu upbeat on victory at election tribunal. 8 July 2019. Blueprint Newspaper. 31 May 2021.
  22. Web site: Anyaso vs. Kalu: Tribunal fixes date for judgment in Abia. 1 August 2019. 31 May 2021. The Eagle Online.
  23. Web site: Reactions trail victory of Hon. Benjamin Kalu at tribunal (Photos+Video). 31 August 2019. 31 May 2021. ABN TV.
  24. Web site: Ben Kalu Reacts To Appeal Court Verdict, Says "I Will Do More For My constituents & My State Govt.". 29 October 2019. 31 May 2021. ABN TV.
  25. Web site: Election Tribunal: Anyaso congratulates Kalu, assures of collective effort to uplift Bende. Okogba. Emmanuel. 29 October 2019. 31 May 2021. Vanguard Newspaper.
  26. Web site: 2024-07-04 . List of the Elected House of Representatives Members for the 9th Assembly – Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre . 2024-07-16 . en-US.
  27. Web site: PLAC - 2004 Laws of Nigeria . 2024-07-16 . placng.org.
  28. Web site: News . Leadership . 2024-02-06 . Constitution Review: We Won't Disappoint Nigerians – House . 2024-07-16 . en-US.
  29. Web site: Peace in South East Project – Peace in South East Project . 2024-07-16 . en-US.
  30. Web site: https://www.benjaminkalu.com/ . 2024-07-16 . www.benjaminkalu.com.
  31. Web site: Alimi . Olamilekan Quadri . 2023-06-01 . OrderPaper rewards 18 NASS Members for valuable contributions . 2024-07-16 . OrderPaper . en-US.
  32. Web site: calabargist . 2022-08-23 . Democracy Heroes Awards,Eteng Williams, Gbajabiamila, Gov. Sani Bello, Aregbesola was awarded . 2024-07-16 . CALABARGIST . en-US.
  33. Web site: Tol . Maya van . 2021-11-12 . KNCV Nigeria awarded at the National TB Conference . 2024-07-16 . KNCV - Tuberculosefonds . en-US.
  34. Web site: The Pan-African Parliament African Union . 2024-07-16 . au.int.
  35. Web site: author . 2024-07-01 . ECOWAS Parliament Website . 2024-07-16 . ECOWAS Parliament Website . en-US.
  36. Web site: 2022-08-09 . OSHAssociation Training - Occupational Safety And Health Association Uk . 2024-07-16 . en-US.
  37. Web site: Ciarb Home . 2024-07-16 . www.ciarb.org . en-GB.
  38. Web site: https://www.nigerianbar.org.ng/ . 2024-07-16 . www.nigerianbar.org.ng.
  39. Web site: Home - Institute of Administrative Management . 2024-07-16 . www.instam.org.

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