(Senator Orji Kalu. Photo Credit: The Cable)
Senator Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and current senator from Abia North, was congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on his 66th birthday on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed his best wishes to Kalu, a lifelong political comrade, characterizing him as a person whose vision, tenacity, and industry have made an indelible legacy on both Abia State and the larger national arena.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s vision, resilience, industry, service to the nation, and commitment to the progress of Abia are noteworthy,” the President declared.
The former governor of Abia is contributing to the nation’s economic growth as a media tycoon and Chairman of SLOK Holding.
“I wish him long life, greater strength, and increased wisdom as he continues his service to the nation.”
The President noted Kalu’s contributions to national development and his two-term governorship of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, as well as his current role chairing the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, one of the regional development bodies established by the Tinubu administration to accelerate growth across the zones.
Kalu was born on April 21, 1960, in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. He is the chairman of SLOK Holding and owns the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers.
Kalu served as governor of Abia State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.
After leaving government, he faced prolonged legal battles. A Federal High Court in Lagos convicted him in December 2019 and sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment for fraud amounting to N7.65bn.
But in May 2020, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction due to procedural issues, nullifying the trial and allowing him to return to politics.
On June 11, 2019, he took office as a Senator for Abia North after running under the APC flag in the 2019 general elections and defeating incumbent Mao Ohuabunwa.
He was the Senate Majority Whip in the 9th Senate.
In the 10th Senate, he presently serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission.
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