Benjamin Kalu
{{short description|Nigerian politician}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = The Honourable
| name = Benjamin Kalu
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NG|CON|size=100%}}
| image =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| office1 = Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria
| term_start1 = 13 June 2023
| term_end1 =
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Speaker}}
| 1namedata1 = Tajudeen Abbas
| predecessor1 = Ahmed Idris Wase
| successor1 =
| office2 = Member of the
House of Representatives of Nigeria
from Abia
| term_start2 = 11 June 2019
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| constituency2 = Bende
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
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| nationality = Nigerian
| party = All Progressives Congress
| otherparty = Peoples Democratic Party
Progressive Peoples Alliance
| spouse =
| children =
| residence = Abuja, Nigeria
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Politician
| profession =
| website =
}}
Benjamin Okezie Kalu {{post-nominals|country=NG|CON}} is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria since 2023. He represents the Bende federal constituency.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=A First Time Legislator Who Mastered the Ropes|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/certificate-forgery-allegation-against-benjamin-kalu-court-adjourns-till-wednesday/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=THISDAYLIVE|language=en-US}}
Life, education and political career
Benjamin Okezie Kalu was born on 5 May 1971 in Agbamuzu, Bende Local Government Area{{Cite web |title=Agbamuzu, Bende - Postcode - 441113 - Nigeria Postcode |url=https://www.nigeriapostcode.com/abia-bende-bende-agbamuzu.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.nigeriapostcode.com}} of Abia State, Nigeria.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://abiastate.gov.ng/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Official Website of the Abia State Government |language=en-US}} He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University,{{Cite web |title=It's time to achieve |url=https://www.brookes.ac.uk/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Oxford Brookes University |language=en}} a Master of Law in terrorism and international humanitarian law (distinction), and a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons.) from the University of Calabar. Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing his studies at the Nigeria Law School in Enugu State, Nigeria.
In addition to his formal education, Kalu has obtained several certifications in Migration and Human Rights from John Cabot University, Italy,{{Cite web |title=John Cabot {{!}} Study Abroad and Degree Programs in Rome, Italy |url=https://www.johncabot.edu/default.aspx |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.johncabot.edu |language=en}} Illicit Trade from the University of Groningen, Netherlands,{{Cite web |date=2017-06-16 |title=University of Groningen - Top 100 University |url=https://www.rug.nl/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=University of Groningen |language=en}} Governance and Development from Miami Herbert Business School,{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Miami Herbert Business School |url=https://herbert.miami.edu/index.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=herbert.miami.edu |language=en}} Miami University, USA,{{Cite web |title=No. 3 Public for Undergrad Teaching |url=https://miamioh.edu/index.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Miami University |language=en}} Environmental Crimes from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Italy and International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB){{Cite web |title=Ciarb {{!}} Home |url=https://www.ciarb.org/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.ciarb.org |language=en-GB}} at the University of Oxford,{{Cite web |title=University of Oxford |url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.ox.ac.uk}} United Kingdom.
Kalu's political career began in 2002 when he contested for the House of Representatives primaries. He served as the Local Government Chairman (Transition) for Bende Local Government Area, Abia State and held various advisory roles to the then Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.{{Cite web |title=National Assembly {{!}} Federal Republic of Nigeria |url=https://nass.gov.ng/mps/single/97 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=nass.gov.ng}} He has also served as the National Chapter President of the Peoples Democracy Party{{Cite web |title=peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng - Bethesda, MD |url=https://peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng |language=en}} in Diaspora, the youngest Local Government Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, and Senior Special Adviser to Theodore Orji{{Citation |title=Theodore Orji |date=2024-05-28 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theodore_Orji&oldid=1226131229 |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en}} on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Nigeria.
He was re-elected in 2023 and he is currently the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. His roles in the 10th Assembly include chairman of the Constitution Review and Amendment Committee.
Legislative activities
As the spokesperson of the 9th Assembly,{{Cite web |date=2024-07-04 |title=List of the Elected House of Representatives Members for the 9th Assembly – Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre |url=https://placng.org/i/documents/list-of-the-elected-house-of-representatives-members-for-the-9th-assembly/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en-US}} Kalu proposed and supported various bills, motions, and acts, including the Acts Authentication Act,{{Cite web |title=PLAC - 2004 Laws of Nigeria |url=https://placng.org/lawsofnigeria/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=placng.org}} and the Nigerian Communications Act. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.{{Cite web |last=News |first=Leadership |date=2024-02-06 |title=Constitution Review: We Won't Disappoint Nigerians – House |work=Leadership News |url=https://leadership.ng/constitution-review-we-wont-disappoint-nigerians-house/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en-US}}
Projects
Kalu is the convener of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE),{{Cite web |title=Peace in South East Project – Peace in South East Project |url=https://pise-p.org/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en-US}} which aims to use non-kinetic means to resolve insecurity in the South East Region of Nigeria. He also led the Sudan Darfur Project in Australia for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, focusing on fundraising and providing orientation for refugees.
He is also the founder of the Benjamin Kalu Foundation,{{Cite web |url=https://www.benjaminkalu.com/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.benjaminkalu.com}} a charity organization.
Personal life
Kalu is married and has five children.
Awards and recognition
- Valuable Parliamentarian by OrderPaper{{Cite web |last=Alimi |first=Olamilekan Quadri |date=2023-06-01 |title=OrderPaper rewards 18 NASS Members for valuable contributions |url=https://orderpaper.ng/2023/06/01/orderpaper-rewards-18-nass-members-for-valuable-contributions-in-lawmaking/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=OrderPaper |language=en-US}}
- Outstanding Representative Member of the Year at the Democracy Heroes Award Africa{{Cite web |last=calabargist |date=2022-08-23 |title=Democracy Heroes Awards,Eteng Williams, Gbajabiamila, Gov. Sani Bello, Aregbesola was awarded |url=https://calabargist.com/democracy-heroes-awardseteng-williams-gbajabiamila-gov-sani-bello-aregbesola-was-awarded/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=CALABARGIST |language=en-US}}
- 2021 Zik's Award of Excellence on Civic Engagement
- South East and Abia State Federal Lawmaker of the Year Award by Independent Newspaper
- Outstanding Legislative Contribution Award towards Improving Tuberculosis policy and Funding in Nigeria{{Cite web |last=Tol |first=Maya van |date=2021-11-12 |title=KNCV Nigeria awarded at the National TB Conference |url=https://www.kncvtbc.org/en/2021/11/12/kncv-nigeria-awarded-at-the-national-tb-conference/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=KNCV - Tuberculosefonds |language=en-US}}
- Leadership Excellence (LEEX) Awards
- 2019 Humanitarian Service Award
- FLO FM Icon Award as the Most Impactful Lawmaker of the Year
- Model of Media and Public Relation Matters Award
Membership
- Member of the African Union Pan African Parliament,{{Cite web |title=The Pan-African Parliament {{!}} African Union |url=https://au.int/en/pap |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=au.int}} serving under the Finance and Admin Committee
- Member of the ECOWAS Parliament,{{Cite web |last=author |date=2024-07-01 |title=ECOWAS Parliament Website |url=https://www.parl.ecowas.int/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=ECOWAS Parliament Website |language=en-US}} serving as the chairman of the Finance, Administration and Budget Committee
- Fellow of OSHAssociation United Kingdom{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=OSHAssociation Training - Occupational Safety And Health Association Uk |url=https://oshassociationtraining.com/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en-US}}
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of International Arbitrators (CIARB UK){{Cite web |title=Ciarb {{!}} Home |url=https://www.ciarb.org/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.ciarb.org |language=en-GB}}
- Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA){{Cite web |url=https://www.nigerianbar.org.ng/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.nigerianbar.org.ng}}
- Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Managers (F.Inst.AM){{Cite web |title=Home - Institute of Administrative Management |url=https://www.instam.org/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.instam.org}}
Publications
- Kalu, Benjamin & Miebaka, Nabiebu (2024). The International Criminal Court: Analyzing Its Efficacy in Combating International Crimes in the 21st Century. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 85-104.
- Benjamin Okezie Kalu & Amarachukwu Onyinyechi Ijiomah (2024). The Evolution and Impact of Terrorism in Africa: Historical Context, Key Actors, and Counter-Terrorism Measures, PINISI Journal of Art, Humanity and Social Studies, Vol. 4 (1), E-ISSN 2747-2671.
- Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Ugonna Obi-Emeruwa (2024). Climate Adaptation Policy and Food Security in Nigeria: Evaluating Strategies, Challenges and Future Directions, Journal of African Gender, Peace and Security Studies Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, ISSN 0189-7934.
- Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Miebaka, Nabiebu (2024). The International Criminal Court: Analyzing Its Efficacy in Combating International Crimes in the 21st Century. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 85-104.
- Ugonna Obi-Emeruwa, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Oyindamola Kolapo (2024). Need for Africanization of Militaries in Africa, Journal of African Gender, Peace and Security Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 1, ISSN 0189-7934.
- Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Ijiomah, Amarachi (2024). Rethinking Islamophobia: A Transnational Crisis of Identity for the Potential Terrorist. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(2), 1-23.
- Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Amarachukwu Onyinyechi Ijioma (2024). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges, and Policy Implications, GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis. Volume 7, Issue 2, July-December, 2024 ISSN (Online): 2714-2485.
- Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Ijioma, Amarachi Onyinyechi (2024). International Legal Regime: Analysis of Cases Relating to Global Terrorism. GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis, 7(1), 246-245.
References
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{{Abia State National Assembly delegation}}
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Category:All Progressives Congress politicians
Category:Nigerian political candidates
Category:University of Calabar alumni
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) from Abia State