Time is one of life’s greatest phenomenon. Little wonder Albert Einstein called it an illusion, something that really doesn’t exist. Every moment that goes by brings us new realities, a connection between the three time dimensions: the past, the present and the future. At no point can time ever be held still or be reversed. Not that this cannot happen, but it is beyond man and the domain of mortals. This time phenomenon has always pointed forward and favoured Dr. Orji uzor Kalu. He was born in 1960 on the 21st day of April, a birthday for royalties, one he shares with her Royal majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11.
The past 58 years have offered great experiences, despite the odds of life and the unique circumstances of our country Nigeria. OUK has written his name in the sands of time. Remaining resilient, benevolent, and unequivocally relevant to his generation and the upcoming generation.
It is indeed divine for a man of his standing to be blessed with the gifts of prosperity, a good name, achievements, trails of business and financial success, good will and a loving family. It is fair to say that in Nigeria, it is rare to be 58 years in good health, of sound mind and body, and in harmony with God and fellow man. This is why this year calls for celebration and thanksgiving to God for keeping this charitable soul alive as he continues to touch the lives of many and their families.
Last year, when the former governor celebrated his birthday in his farm at Okafia, Igbere, Abia State, it was a surprise to many. Not because he broke the 20 years record of not celebrating his birthday publicly, but because he performed the ritual with his kinsmen and workers in his farm.
On arrival at the farm, he had mounted the tractor to till the ground and subsequently planted some cassava stems to the admiration of his kinsmen and workers, who marveled at his mastery in driving the tractor and farming dexterity. The message his action passed across Nigeria was very simple: practicality and humility. That was not the first time Kalu would be staying on the field to counter the problem of bigmanism associated with some of the rich in Nigeria.
Very remarkable in the promises he made during lunch with fellow workers in the farm was making funds available to all indigenes who are passionate about farming but handicapped by availability of funds. As usual and true to his words, he fulfilled 100 per cent of his promise by making these funds available through his foundation, Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation. This also gave birth to the loan scheme in which his foundation gave out N200 million to traders and retailers in Abia State.
Kalu has obviously used every available opportunity to empower his people and that’s so fulfilling. Of a man who lives in the people’s success stories is Kalu. A man whose whole life has revolved around building the lives of other people from many walks of life. Kalu has created leaders and industrialists and is still doing more. It’s not only that he impacts individuals and communities. But he has also brought rise to a thriving generation of prominent and respected people who will take over his legacy
For the last 25 years or thereabout, he has been a leader in peace advocacy, wealth creation, human development, international diplomacy, and anti-discrimination mandates on the globe. In recent years, he could pass for the most sought after international speaker overseas on issues concerning Nigeria and Africa. Only last year he delivered four lectures abroad, including his lectures at War College, Washington DC and University of International Business and Economics, Beijing. In Nigeria, Kalu has given an unprecedented support to education sector. From 2013 till date alone, he has visited at least 15 universities, imparting knowledge, exchanging ideas with students and university authorities and providing financial assistance.
As of April 3, 2018, Kalu, through Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, gave out more than N600 million as endowment fund in various universities across Nigeria. The latest beneficiaries were University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos, where he had instituted N100 million each. Part of the endowments given out was N250,000 each to four overall best students in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
The endowment started with the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where N250,000 each is given annually to the best graduating students in the Department of Economics, Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and overall best student in the university. The same endowment has also been instituted in the University of Calabar.
According to the Secretary General of Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, Rev. Jemima Kalu, the endowments would be extended to more schools across the country. The essence, according to her, is in fulfillment of the foundation’s mission to be prominent in the support of hard work and education in the country. Since its inception, the foundation has endowed and supported a broad range of social, health, and economic developments across the nation.
Today is obviously not the day to recount the philanthropies of a man who is successful in every sense of the word. However, one impossible wish I have always had is for every Nigerian to meet Kalu and experience his strong personality. His heart is large and legendarily tolerant on the basis of our common humanity His success cuts across various fields, business, politics, you name it. According to Forbes Magazine, he has continued to maintain his place as one of the richest billionaires in Africa.
Yet, these achievements have not robbed him of his natural humility and humanity as he chose to avoid a lavish lifestyle. Those who run into him are always surprised to notice how simple he lives both in and out of power. Mine is to add that no manner of words will do justice to his personality, achievements, dedication, hard work, and contribution to society. But in a thriving modern setup like ours, he has played a huge role in shaping the future of our society.
In politics, he plays it without bitterness and clannish mentality. He is a detribalized politician who is against religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism and class dichotomy. Those of us who work with him in official capacity know that in Kalu’s world it is absolutely illegal to discriminate. He does not care if you are Efik, Ibibio or Nupe. It is the individual he sees, not tribe, no religion, not political affiliation, not background. He is at home with everyone irrespective of your status.
But what can you give to a man who seems to have it all, yes as a mortal he too needs a birthday gift , diamonds? but one of the best gift is an appreciation and encouragement to continue the good job he began long time ago. So, as we toast to Kalu’s continued strength, good health and well-being, we pray that the Lord will continue to draw him closer to all that is destined for him. Happy birthday Your Excellency
. Eze writes from Beijing.