From Kenneth Udeh ,Abuja
In recognition of his responsive representation and execution of numerous constituency projects within one and a half year as a first time Senator,former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has been honoured with the constituency development award at the Senate Press Corps 2021 award ceremony.
The Senate Press Corps the umbrella media body of the Nigerian Senate which comprises of the nation’s print and online media houses , presented the award to the Senate Chief Whip at the epoch ceremony held in Abuja which had in attendance the ;Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan;Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege; Senator Ajibola Bashiru; Principal officers of the Senate and other Senators.
The media body through its Chairman Mr. James Itodo, revealed that the body unanimously decided to bestow Kalu with the award in recognition of his commitment of his capacity despite being a first time legislator to bring so much transformation to his Abia North constituency in just
According to Itodo, Senator Kalu’s execution of projects in all the local government areas in Abia North -Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umenneochi are worthy of emulation and deserves commendation.
Others who received awards in various categories at the event include President of the Senate , Ahmed Lawan who was the Chairman of the occasion and carted the Parliamentary Leadership for Good Governance and Budget Cycle Restoration Awards was presented the awards by the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri who also bagged the Ambassador of the Senate Award.
Also honoured were Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Senate Chris Ngige; Senator George Akume, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Hadi Sirika; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Senator Olurunmibe Mamora, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Christopher Omoworare and Senator John Akpan Udo- Edehe who all got Ambassador of the Senate Award.
Others who got awards were Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume; Senators Matthew Urhoghide; Barau Jibrin; Ike Ekweremadu; Ajibola Basiru; Opeyemi Bamidele; Aisha Dahiru Ahmed; Olamilekan Adeola; Sahabi Ya’a; Kassim Shetima; Tanko Almakura; Ibikunle Amosun; Bassey Albert Akpan and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
Recall that the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu within one and a half year as a first times Senator facilitated 19 road projects and renovation of 50 schools, hospitals and installation of motorised borehole water projects as captured in the 2020 appropriation for his Abia North constituency.
On empowerment Kalu also distributed motorcycles for rural farmers, sewing machines and generating sets to artisans at Abia North Senatorial District valued at over 500 million naira.
Senator Kalu also distributed wound gel and gynaecological (cervical cancer gel) for Abia North Senatorial District valued at N100m.
In Agriculture Kalu disbursed bags of rice and fertilizers for rural women in the five LGAs of Abia North Senatorial District valued at N200m.
Similarly,President Buhari also approved the immediate completion of Mbalano Power Substation in Mbalano Isuikwuato, Abia state. The President gave directives to the minister of power to expedite the completion work in the Transmission Substation in the next few months after Kalu had earlier written to the Ministry of Power calling the attention of the Honourable Minister for Power, Engr. Mamman Saleh to the abandoned power transmission projects.
Recall that in December last year (2020) the Chief led a high-powered delegation from the Federal Government to inspect abandoned power transmission projects in Abia-North Senatorial zone.
Several other Senators, both serving and non-serving, and some state governors were also honoured at the occasion.
