Today, April 21, 2023, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu gains an additional year of a life distinguished by humane principles, refined values and remarkable achievements.
Senator Uzor Orji Kalu, currently in the 9th National Assembly, representing Abia North senatorial district of Abia state, is a man distinguished by his exemplary character and uncommon political philosophy of value addition.
As a political leader, the senator, has through his commitment, advanced human happiness. He has influenced the context in which development could be evolved and sustained as vividly demonstrated during his stint as the governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007 and in the senate where he has been a voice of reckoning. Kalu, indeed, stands out as a dependable ally of the people.
For all that Senator Dr Uzor Orji Kalu signifies, both as a person and a political juggernaut, his birthday has always been symbolic. To be honest, I don’t think birthday is such a big deal for the amiable senator for it is not known exactly when he was in the news over a birthday bash despite his verve and vivacity. In a general sense, birthdays, whether hugely celebrated, solemnly marked or ignored, give one the picture of a life.
As often said, birthday means different things to different people. Birthdays carry several and varied connotations but all are emotionally determined. It is reminiscent of the day that one is delivered into a whole new world of wonder and uncertainties, the tides and storms of human existence or simply the vicissitude of life. However we regard a birthday, birthday is important in our lives as it either rekindles the flames of our aspiration, or refocuses our gaze into deep horizon of life. By and large, a birthday is truly measured on the basis of the impacts the life it bears makes in our society.
Senator Kalu’s birthday is a day that bears a life of positive impacts, for the distinguished senator is not only a great man but a goodman whose dedication to service is exceptionally outstanding. Senator Kalu is one man who in both his personal and public life is relentlessly committed to finding innovative solutions to the most difficult challenges of the day. In parliament,
Senator Kalu has passionately fought for the causes of the people of his Abia North constituency and the vast majority of vulnerable Nigerians. He has sponsored and lent voice to a variety of bills which have been signed into law. In an era of change where prudence and probity are the rule of engagement, Kalu is providing pragmatic principles of leadership as the senate chief whip, using his skills and talents in forging consensus and reaching compromises without sacrificing his core values.
His legislative interests chiefly cover banking, insurance and other financial institutions, agriculture, education and power. The committees in which Senator Kalu has served include gas, local and foreign debts, states and local governments, upstream petroleum resources and works, among others. He never missed plenary and is one of the Nigerian senate leading lights. He is presently the senate chief whip.
A recipient of several professional and meritorious awards, including being the most Distinguished Senator of the year 2023 conferred on him by the prestigious Arewa Youth Advocacy for Excellence. Senator Kalu has an enviable array of direct impact projects to his constituents. These include healthcare centre, boreholes, electrical infrastructure, tube wells and irrigation pumps, etc.
During the 2023 general elections campaigns, Kalu had initially signified his interest to be the President of Senate. Quite, naturally, if that happens, he would turn out to be a square peg in a square hole. And it is hopefully expected that his birthday today will offer a reflection and a reliable guide to politicians aspiring to be relevant like Senator Kalu, to the national life even after leaving office.
This currently applies to him close to two decades after leaving office as a governor. It will as well avail enthusiastic patriots with possible insights and background on what makes Senator Kalu still relevant and special in the political scene of the country-side locution and speeches.
The specific objectives of this study on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on his birthday are;
*To appreciate the main concern of the celebrant (Senator Uzor Kalu) as a politician and as a national leader.
*To investigate his style and preferences in language use as it manifest in his public communications.
*To examine the policy and law making values of his public communications.
It is therefore important to note that to accomplish a good, clear and fluent locution such that had been helpful to the political cause of Senator Kalu, he uses his identified distinct dimensional advantages such as delivery, voice, production, articulation and enunciation to his advantage at every turn.
His delivery describes the origination of his messages including the flow of his message to his audience as well as how it is controlled and modified. His good delivery, in turn, comprises “phrasing pace, stress, rhythm, intonation, and his general attitude. Good delivery is indispensable to him politically because his assertions are always empirical.
Kalu has successfully over the years deployed oratory to further partisan and patriotic interest around the world and most importantly in Nigeria. This is manifest in his speeches like Mahatma Ghandhi of India, who is renowned for peaceful but persistent advocacy against colonialism; Senator Kalu till date remains one of the most quoted Nigerian politicians even as most of his quotes may not necessarily apply to politics but to other facets of life.
He is highly revered as one of the central figures whose opinion on any national issue cannot be taken for granted. He is also probably credited with the best intellectual output from the Southeastern part of the country in the political scene after Nnamdi Azikiwe of blessed memory.
As Senator Orji Uzor Kalu marks his birthday today, we pray he continues the march of progress in all areas of life to shame the forces of evil and uphold the citizens’s rights to education, health, employment and decent living so that we can attest to his sterling leadership qualities as we are doing today for so many years to come. He should be true to his conviction and to God Almighty.
Happy birthday our senate president in-waiting, by the grace of God.
Wada writes from
Abuja via 08035937424
