When I joined The Sun Publishing Company Limited in 2003 as a very senior member of the Editorial Board and Friday Back Page Columnist, among other tangential assignations, courtesy of Messrs Mike Awoyinfa, the late Dimgba Igwe and Femi Adesina, there were pressures on me to quit the medium by people who were opposed to the publisher and one of Africa’s 50 richest men according to Forbes, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (MON), over issues that were largely mundane! Of course, I ignored such occupational intrusions. Let me, for the first time, use this commemorative channel to thank Egbon Awoyinfa and Adesina for the employment opportunity on personal (professional) recognition and stout belief in my competency and reputational pedigree. Blow your own antecedental trumpet!
The strident reservations some friends of mine had over my relationship with The Sun were such that a few people, including a member of the House of Representatives, called me when I left for the banking sector as a Public Relations Manager to applaud me for “leaving that outfit”. All this while, I had not met Dr. Kalu who was then the Executive Governor of Abia State (1999-2007). So, I could not understand the fuss about my current principal. In fact, the only time I had come in contact with this financier and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in 2001 during the First National Media Tour which I participated fully as a member of the team in my capacity as the Deputy Editor of The Post Express.
Just yesterday, as I was discussing with a colleague of mine based in Abuja and fellow graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), 1985-1987, he showered cautious encomiums on me for having the candour to work with this transnational entrepreneur. He declared that his grouse about Dr. Kalu was not personal but bordered on integrity without any expatiation despite my proddings. Apparently, he did not want to offend me or lest I will finish him with the acerbity of my avowals on such misconceptions.
As you are probably aware, after traversing the banking and telecommunication sectors, I am back to The Sun on the Editorial Board and also the media adviser (or advisor preferably!) to Dr. Kalu. You can now understand the essence of this celebratory intervention today which is the 55th birthday of this colossus, of my enigmatic boss and supranational employer.
The point to underscore is that Dr. Kalu is mostly misunderstood and at another level underestimated by some jealous and timid people who interface with him. A few of his critics accuse him of aristocratic haughtiness, among other sundry and pedestrian allegations. For me, it has been fun and rewarding working with him—I have no regrets whatsoever. Therefore, come along with me as we celebrate this international investor who clocked 55 years today, but still looks boyish! And to prove the rapport between us, he has graciously accepted to be the chief host at my book presentation next month while Lagos State Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode will be the host, among other summit guests.
From the foregoing, essentially, I have the privilege, responsibility and great honour to especially celebrate this principal of mine today, on his 55th Birthday. The choice of this soar-away medium for this particularly unique commemoration is informed by its quintessential profile underscored by exclusivity of elitist professionalism among its genre of top-class journalism and of course the ownership factor.
His reclusiveness, humility and philanthropic humanism are unparalleled in this part of the world where obscene display of wealth and class arrogance is the crass second nature of moneybags. Dr. Kalu’s economic nationalism and diplomacy are enough justifications for this celebratory interlude in the life of a man who is 99 percent self-made. There is nothing in his pedigree to explain his borderless and boundless affluence in global measures.
A highly detribalized Nigerian going by the ethnic configuration of thousands of humanity in his global conglomerate, this boardroom guru’s passion for quintessence in all departments of life hallmarks existential fanaticism that clearly domesticates survivalist responsibility. He does not subscribe to short-cuts. An executive with multifariousbusiness interests whose triumphant attitudinal disposition to life is unimaginable, he goes for the best with superlative anchorage. No half-measures in any circumstance. He believes nothing is impossible in this world. That is his philosophy of life. All challenges are surmountable hence he does not take impossibility for an answer. To him, everything is doable as long as you put your mind to it. That is his unimpeachable resolution!
The superfluity of his philanthropy, which transcends consanguinity, is such that he does not like seeing people suffering. There have been instances where he met less-privileged members of the society in sorry situations and had to intervene with alacrity in changing their lives. He does this without any class or other extraneous considerations. This economic wizard’s generosity is breathtaking.
Nothing makes this entrepreneurial whiz-kid happy as diligence, which explains the robustness of his passion for hard work by those privileged to be associated with his vast empire. Apart from the direct human capital in his international institutions, he has fertilized and watered innumerable private initiatives of people who have come his way over the years from all walks of life. His accommodative organizational capacity is unequalled in this part of the world. The declarations you digest here are factual beneficent attestations to this astute world-class business expert who has an uncommon penchant for breaking new grounds.
Overall, Dr. Kalu, an unprecedented visionary symbol, has a profundity of energy, enthusiasm and empathy running in his veins. At times, those who know him closely wonder whether he would ever retire from economic activism. I have the conviction that his beneficiaries’ prayers for him have the propensity to keep him for a long time to come. Simply put, this man has affected and continues to affect uncountable lives, many of whom I know. He enjoys offering Nigerians and non-Nigerians limitless platforms particularly through the instrumentality of Slok Group.
The writer does not know, yet, if there is anyone who can be compared to this multi-billionaire in terms of attitudinal disposition, philanthropic invaluableness, generation of novelties and success inclination. It seems, somehow, that there is divine manifestation in whatever this staunch Catholic lays his hand upon which gives rise to Midas touch in all he does. He does not compromise excellence and goes for the best in anything at stake: there is this amazing consciousness about quality. His sagacity, mind fertility and business versatility are unequalled in our time. I will not go into his politics having written volumes on that.
Hypercritics of Dr. Kalu accuse him of intellectual snobbery because he never suffers fools gladly. They allege that he carries on too confidently and depends essentially on his cerebral capability and capacity. He unapologetically believes, according to them, that nobody is superior to him, knowledge-wise. Nincompoops and fraudsters put him off.
Clearly, he is a generational anchor endowed with divine blessings. He personifies entrepreneurship strewn with benevolence. A gentleman with Midas touch who has mastered his environment by conquering all the latent constituents and elemental forces against all episodic odds, this investment captain remains an embodiment of industry, a beacon and blistering light in usually impossible tunnels and difficult terrains.
As you read this, his vast business empire keeps expanding, beyond bounds. The best is yet to come from this adept innovator, revolutionary extraordinaire, gem of our time and a generational statement.
An inspirational Adonis, highly imaginative and full of ideas, Dr. Kalu’s sense of humour and experimental management of human capital and other productive resources are inimitable.
Dr. Kalu’s sport gestural involvements, particularly football with Enyimba Football Club as a testament, can only be compared to the sporting activities of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of blessed memories.
The point that needs to be emphasized here is that this man has empowered—and is still uplifting—many Nigerians (and other nationals) who had the rare privilege of coming his way, strewn with unlimited potentialities. Everything, apart from resurrection, is possible with my oga!
This is my unapologetic brief contribution to the anniversary of the birth of this prodigious philanthropist of our time, a multi-billionaire by British standard, who is misunderstood by the minority and immeasurably appreciated by the majority of Nigerians, most especially because of the holistic revolution he wrought with the introduction of soar-away Sun titles.
Happy birthday, sir! You have done 45 minutes (first half) of your sportive life which implies that after today you have another 55 years for the second-half of your blissful existence. In prospective time, your detractors will comprehend you, your philosophy of life and your quintessence. To some of us, you are a solution while you remain a puzzle to your vanishing clan of hypercritics and ingrates. Join me on Thursday in Abuja on my way to Dutse, Jigawa State, for a private meeting with Governor Sule Lamido as we toast to the continued good health, prosperity and long life of our candid man, OUK!
Biographical notes
Young, ebullient and enterprising Orji Kalu is an enigma meaning different things to different people. His rise to national and international limelight was quite meteoric, making him one of the most visible businessmen, politician, philanthropist and humanist in Nigeria today.
He went through his academic career at Christ the King School, Aba for his primary education, Eziama High School, Aba; Government College, Umuahia for secondary education and tertiary education at University of Maiduguri; Abia State University, Uturu where he obtained B.Sc in Political Science, Harvard University Graduate Business School (AMP 153) Boston, USA IEA Certificate by USAID, honorary doctorate degrees in Law by the University of Port Harcourt, Abia State University, Uturu, and City State University, Los Angeles, USA.
A thoroughbred man in commerce, industry and administration, he became Chairman of Borno Water Board at a tender age of 25 years, where he initiated policies aimed at the provision of potable water for over 5 million Borno State indigenes in a guinea worm endemic area. He also served as the Chairman of Imo State Marketing and Supply Agency, where he evolved strategies for the formation of policies for the procurement and distribution of essential commodities. He created a record not yet equaled when he became the Chairman of Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited in 1987 at the age of 27, making him the youngest person till date to assume such an elevated position in Nigeria.
Orji Kalu is widely traveled and has his fingers in many pies: banking, oil/telecommunication, import and export, trading, merchandising, insurance, publishing, real estate, shipping and manufacturing. Prior to holding public offices, he had built his business empire – SLOK GROUP which comprises -Ojialex Furniture Company, Slok Nigeria Limited, Slok (UK)Limited, Adamawa Publishers Limited, Slok Vegetable Oil, Aba, Slok Paper Factory, Aba, Slok USA Inc., Slok Ghana, Togo, Cotonou, Guinea, South Africa, Liberia, Botswana, Slok Korea, Supreme Oil Limited, Slok Airlines, First International Bank Limited and International Insurance Company Limited ( Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia) and the Sun Publishing Limited (Nigeria and Liberia), Metro Energy (Guinea) Ltd, Daily Telegraph Publishing Company (Nigeria and Liberia) Ltd, Cecoon Oil and Gas (Nigeria) Ltd, Bende Export- Import Ltd, amongst others.
In politics, he is a household name. He served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives from 1992 to 1993, and held two key positions of deputy chairman of the Finance and Internal Affairs Committees. He moved the famous Dual-Citizenship Rights Bill in the House. He was elected the Governor of the mineral-rich Abia State in 1999 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a political party he co-founded and financed with others. His achievements as a Governor astounded, even, his most vitriolic critics.
His administration built over 300 roads in both urban and rural areas, renovated 820 schools; planted 510 hectares of rubber, 2 million pineapple suckers, 5 million palm and cocoa seedlings; distributed over 10 million day old chicks to civil servants, schools churches and cooperative bodies to boost the protein intake of the people of the state. Added to these was the establishment of a free medical scheme that saw about 1.5 million persons treated; introduction of tuition-free education in both primary and secondary schools, distribution of free computer sets, textbooks, mathematical sets, and desks; and the regular payment of workers and teachers salaries. His poverty eradication package was about the best in Nigeria. Apart from creating employment opportunities for thousands of youths, he empowered many indigent persons through the distribution of interest-free loans, motorcycles, buses and cars. It is also on record that his government paid arrears of pension and gratuity owed retired workers by past administrations in the state since 1991. His achievements when he was at the helm of affairs in Abia State is endless which fetched him THE ACTION GOVERNOR OF NIGERIA within six months of assumption of office in 1999, by President Olusegun Obasanjo who was on a state visit to Abia State on February 26, 2000.
In 2007 Orji Kalu contested for President, Federal Republic of Nigeria under a new political party Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) founded by him and came third. The Party went ahead to win the Governorship position in two out of the five states (Abia and Imo) in the South-East region.
A sports enthusiast par excellence, he is the chairman Nigeria Judo Federation. He was able to change the fortunes of the once comatose Enyimba Football Club of Aba. The club won the Nigerian League back to back. Enyimba Football Club, for the first time in the more than 38 years history of the African CAF League Cup Competition, won the trophy for Nigeria. It repeated the feat in 2004 when it defeated Esperance F.C. of Tunisia to win the trophy the second time. It crowned this feat by winning the CAF Super Cup back to back in 2004/2005.
He has won many local and international awards, the prominent being the Industrialist of the Year by the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry; Humanitarian Award by the Humanitarian Club of the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka; Volunteer Award by the International Association of Volunteers; and the National Merit Award of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), Youngest Bank Chairman Award by the famous Top Magazine when he became the chairman of Cooperative and Commerce Bank in 1987, a special award by the European union in Brussels, Belgium, Special Award by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fellow Bauchi Polytechnic, Fellowship Institute of Certified Management Accountants, and the prestigious Leon Sullivan Award by the World Bank, Washington. He is also a visitor of Miami Dave County in the State of Florida, United States of America.
He belongs to many professional and trade bodies which includes, Nigerian Institute of Directors, Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, Nigeria-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria Importers and Exporters Association, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria-Israel Association, Spartansburg Chamber of Commerce S.C. USA and Association of Nigerian Products Exporters, Nigeria. He was a member of the National Sports Commission under the chairmanship of Chief S.B. Williams between 1989 and 1990, and Federal Government Commission on the Re-grading of Traditional Rulers.
Orji Kalu is a renowned philanthropist and humanist. This is evident with the scholarships his foundation has awarded to thousands of indigent students from all over the country. His milk of human kindness is unfathomable from the bridges of friendship he has built across cultures, races, and religions. His intimidating political profile, stupendous wealth, international connections, acceptability among his fellow politicians, transparent leadership, crusade against social injustice, corruption and inequity and above all, divine anointing are some of the qualities that stand him out. Orji Kalu has over 200 traditional titles to his honour and several books to his credit.
He is presently the Coordinator of Njiko Igbo, a non partisan political movement for the actualization of the dreams and aspirations of the people of south east extraction of Nigeria and G37 a group of like minds commited to the enthronement of good governance in Nigeria. Orji Kalu is a role model and mentor to the younger generation who see him as the face a new Nigeria.
Orji Kalu is happily married and blessed with children.
Wabara (ewabara@yahoo.com/08055001948) is the media advisor to Dr. Kalu.