President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday felicitated with Senator Orji Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, as he turned 66.
Tinubu conveyed his best wishes in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, describing Kalu, a longtime political ally, as a figure whose vision, resilience, and industry have left an enduring mark on both Abia State and the wider national stage.
The President said, “Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s vision, resilience, industry, and service to the nation and commitment to the progress of Abia are noteworthy.
“As a media mogul and Chairman of SLOK Holding, the former Abia governor is also playing his part in the economic development of the country.
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.
However, the Supreme Court quashed the conviction in May 2020 on procedural grounds, setting aside the trial and freeing him to resume political activity.
He contested under the APC banner in the 2019 general elections and defeated incumbent Mao Ohuabunwa to become Senator for Abia North, assuming office on June 11, 2019.
In the 9th Senate, he served as Senate Majority Whip.
He currently chairs the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission in the 10th Senate.
