The Senate arm of the National Assembly has called on its Chief Whip and former governor of Abia, Senator (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu to remain focused and not to hold grudge against anyone for his incarceration.
Igbere TV reports that President of the Senate, Senator (Dr.) Ahmad Lawan made the call on Thursday night when he led the National Assembly leadership on a solidarity visit to Kalu at his Abuja Aso Villa residence.
Also among the delegation include, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya; Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Borrofice; Senate Deputy Whip, Sabi Abdullahi; Minority Whip, Philip Aduda; Deputy Minority Whip, Sahabi Ya’u; and Senator Chuka Utazi (Enugu North).
Some members of the President’s cabinet were also among the visiting team, including principal officers of the House of Representatives represented by Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha. Ministers present include, Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs); and Dr Ogbonna Onu (Science and Technology). Chief George Moghalu was also part of the early callers.
Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly leadership, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan described Sen. Orji Kalu, his former university roommate, as a good man with a “clean heart”, saying “something good awaits you.”
He said the National Assembly leadership came to welcome, rejoice and show solidarity to the two-time Governor of Abia. Senator Lawan advised the Forbes-rated billionaire not to allow his experience deter him from helping the downtrodden, as he has always done.
“This experience should not stop you from doing what you normally do – your generosity, your focus on ordinary persons. Do more in appreciation for what God has done for you, remain focused. These things are part of the lessons of life,” he said.
“There are a lot of things that you must have had during your stay; some may be good, others bad but God has done it for you. Continue with that attitude of your life, staying positive. God will see you through where you never can. Don’t turn back and maybe start thinking, ‘somebody must have said this or done that’, it will take you back.
“Remember, challenges will always come but God will protect us from them. For you, this experience should not be lost, it should not be in vain. Because everything that happens in life is for a reason, is for a purpose. You may not know what the purpose is but from your own experience, it is for something better,” Lawan stated.
Speaking further, the Senate President said there were certain things God wants Senator Orji Kalu to refill; “as a family man, a community leader, and political leader. Certain things as a human being.”
“Your heart is clean, you mean well, that’s why God did what He did to see you through. It doesn’t mean those who are in (prison) don’t have clean heart. But you see, for God to take you in there and bring you out means there are so much more in your life.”
While assuring Sen. Kalu of the National Assembly support, the Senate President said, “for us the senate; we have remained supportive, we have remained prayerful and remained hopeful.
We kept faith in God. So we are here to rejoice with you that God brought you back to your family, Nigerians and to us; we will continue to work together as friends and brothers.”
“We want you to remain positive, when you are positive, things you think are difficult or really impossible, God can just make a way for you. So, this lesson is part of what you have to go through. Everybody goes through this; in different forms and shapes. Some may be health, somebody facing health challenges will even prefer to be in prison with good health intact. We are happy that you are back and thank God before the senate close next week, you will be there to resume your work. We believe that what happened to you can happen to anybody. We don’t pray even for enemies to be in trouble. No one loves any other person more than himself. That’s why in the root of life, when there is a challenge, save yourself first.”
Lawan added, “We assure that the way we started, by the Grace of God, is the way we are going to finish our business in senate. We mean well for our people, we mean well for every citizen of Nigeria. That’s why right from onset, we decided to work together as brothers and sisters. We have consciously and deliberately decided that even party dispositions should not put us away from ensuring we deliver to Nigerians what is expected of us. You have made a lot of impact for us. So we will continue to work as a team. Where we face challenges, we have to work on ourselves to ensure that we don’t allow people to get distracted.
“On behalf of our colleagues here and all our colleagues in the national assembly, I want to tell you that that national assembly will feel more complete with you. Due to the situation in the country – the global pandemic, all the members cannot come at once. Our colleagues will still be coming individually but leadership have to come together. Others that may not be able to come now, we are here on their behalf. We wish you and your family God’s blessings and protection.”
