Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has denounced reports making wave that state governors and Senators attended his father’s 10th year anniversary with private jets and helicopters.
Online reports had it that not less than 29 Private jets and five helicopters conveyed political bigwigs to honour the former Governor’s late father, Chief Johnson Uzor Nesiegbe Kalu, who passed on to eternal glory in 2010.
Reacting to the Publication, Kalu had in a statement issued by Barrister Emeka Nwala of office of the Chief Whip denounced the report.
He said investigations made about the reports showed that the fliers of the 29 private jets and 5 helicopters were private businessmen and not Nigerian public office holders .
According to him, “the reports we got from both Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu shows that Oil moguls, captains of industries within Nigeria and across Africa were the ones that flew the airplanes to the occasion.
“The Governors that came for the event were mostly South Eastern Governors. Aside Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, other 12 governors that couldn’t make it themselves sent their commissioners and they couldn’t have flown private jets to the event,” he said.
Kalu expressed disappointment over the inability of some journalists to have accurate information before making Publications. He urged the reporters to desist from unverified stories as it could lead to misleading the general public.
Recall that Kalu’s father’s 10th anniversary which held on Sunday, December 27th was celebrated at Camp Neya, Igbere, country-home of the Senate Chief Whip.
The successful and colourful event had in attendance President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Governor of Enugu state , Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi; Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of state for mines and steel , Dr Uche Ogah; Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial zone, Senator T. A Orji; Former Managing Director of defunct Diamond Bank, Dr Alex Otti; Former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Deputy Whip of the House Of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha; Spokesperson of the House Of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; former Army Chief of Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje, several other political leaders , businessmen and captains of industries , renowned academicians and others quite numerous to be mentioned.
The five helicopters landed in Igbere Secondary school and drew the attention of several villagers.
The occasion which was well attended was Covid-19 compliant as more than 8,000 guests were given reception at different reception venues in Igbere . Several artists and dance groups were also present to entertain the guests.
The height of the event was when traditional rulers of Igbere conferred the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan with a Chieftaincy title, Nwannedinamba of Igbere.
