Online Media Stakeholders in Abia Unveil Benjamin Kalu as Patron

The Abia media landscape has received a major boost as the Abia State Online Media Association (ASOMA) officially unveiled Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as one of its distinguished patrons.

The unveiling is seen as a strategic move by ASOMA to strengthen digital journalism, deepen media professionalism, and connect the online media community with key national policymakers.

Kalu, the lawmaker representing the Bende Federal Constituency, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most influential legislators combining governance, diplomacy, global exposure, and humanitarian leadership in one of the most decorated political careers in the Fourth Republic.

Before rising to national prominence, Kalu began his public service journey as Chairman of Bende Local Government Area and later served as Executive Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and International Relations. His groundbreaking performance in these roles set the foundation for the national visibility he enjoys today.

Elected into the House of Representatives in 2019, Kalu distinguished himself as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, a position in which he successfully stabilized communications between the National Assembly and the Nigerian public. His clarity, diplomacy, and discipline earned him wide respect across political divides.

Now serving as Deputy Speaker of the 10th National Assembly, Kalu leads one of the nation's most sensitive and far-reaching legislative exercises: the review of the 1999 Constitution. The assignment places him at the center of key debates shaping Nigeria's future state police, resource control, restructuring, judicial reforms, and electoral changes.

Beyond Nigeria's borders, Kalu represents the country at several international parliamentary bodies, including the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; the Pan-African Parliament; the WTO Parliamentary Conference Steering Committee; and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). These roles have positioned him as one of Africa's rising voices on governance and development.

Academically, Kalu is renowned for his intellectual depth. With two Ph.Ds, an LL.M in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law, an MBA from Oxford Brookes University (UK), and multiple executive certifications from Harvard, Miami University, UNICRI, John Cabot University, and others, he stands out as one of Nigeria's most academically accomplished lawmakers.

His scholarly works on climate adaptation, food security, and security-sector reforms have also contributed to national and continental policy discussions.

In the private sector, his leadership spans Europe, Australia, and Africa as Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD (Sydney), Belcarbon SA (Belgium), and Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP, Nigeria.

Kalu is also the convener of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), a peace-building initiative promoting dialogue, stability, and non-kinetic solutions to security challenges in the region.

Through the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, he has supported healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and interventions for persons with disabilities for over 20 years.

In recognition of his monumental service to Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Members of ASOMA describe his unveiling as a "milestone that will redefine media-government engagement in Abia State."