The Orji Uzor Kalu I met
ACHO ORABUCHI
Dallas, Texas, USA
Thursday, August 4, 2005
During one of my visits to Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in his Maryland home. I arrived at his residence with Ossy Unamba and his wife, Mrs. Ekaete Unamba, planning to spend only 30 minutes, but only to end up spending hours. It was a pleasant afternoon, indeed!
Well, on arrival on a Sunday afternoon, July 24, 2005, to be precise, some of his aides were already there. They were as friendly as their boss. After the pleasantries, we settled down with a glass of wine. No sooner had we toasted for long life and progress than the casual conversation ensued.
In
a conversational mode, we dabbled into wide-range of national and international
issues. Being the first time to meet with Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, I was marveled at
his firm grasp of national and global issues. Generally speaking, the pulsating
Governor Kalu was articulate and well grounded on the issues that came up. Kalu
spoke with unbridled passion and complete confidence about copious issues. Not
only that he was excited to respond to any poser, but also he spoke freely—he
spoke from his heart and did not shy away from any topic. Though I was not
interviewing him, yet, during the course of conversation, I posed some questions
to elicit his views on various issues.
On the current administration, Governor Kalu wants President Obasanjo to succeed. In his address to the Southeast politicians, he beckoned on them to give an unwavering support to the President. He said, “I call on Ndiigbo to keep supporting the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He needs all the support he can get from us. I make this plea in the hope that he will give us equal support in our collective aspiration to produce his successor in 2007.”
On Nigerian presidency in 2007, Kalu said, “I have offered myself to lead this crusade. Since my emergence as governor I have devoted time fighting for a respectable place for our people in Nigeria.” He believes that so far he is the only person that has announced his candidacy for the president of Nigeria. He told me that he is serious about his aspiration to be the president of Nigeria. “It is not phony,” he said emphatically. "For those individuals thinking that Kalu would eventually abandon his quest for the Nigerian presidency, it may be the figment of their imagination.
On Apo killings, the incident and the slow pace of the process seemed to anger Kalu. Governor Kalu is eagerly waiting to see the perpetrators of Apo savage killings get their comeuppance. Nigeria should be able to guarantee the security of lives and property. We cannot attract foreign investment in the absence of real and perceived security. Investors should be assured of their return on investment. Foreign investments are good for our economy. Kalu said, “I will work relentlessly to attract foreign investments as a president of Nigeria.”
In Nigeria where the masses seethe in poverty while suffering the pangs of double-digits inflation and a very few float in ill-gotten affluence, Kalu said that he would level the playing field by fighting corruption and providing employment, especially youth employment. “So far, I have been made to pay a huge price for speaking up against the injustices done to our people. I have been severally harassed and cajoled for speaking the truth, but I have refused to be intimidated. I am committed to this struggle and am ready to stand up and defend it anywhere, anytime, and at any personal costs,” Kalu said.
He pledged that at the end of 24 months in office, there would be a steady supply of electricity/power in Nigeria. Steady supply of power is aimed at boosting the medium-scaled industries, which would in turn provide employment and also stimulate the economy. He said that he would invest in repairing the network of federal roads; he would also encourage the maintenance of local roads. These efforts would be geared toward aiding commerce for economic growth.
He believes that youth unemployment is aiding the rise in cases of crimes, especially armed robberies. He said that youth unemployment would be a priority in his administration. “I will address youth unemployment to curb violent crimes,” he said.
Governor Kalu said that he would invest in education and health because they are central to economic growth and global competitiveness. Unhealthy and uneducated country would not be able to compete in a global economy. Efforts would be made to bring our educational and healthcare systems up to developed world standards. He stressed that Nigeria does not plan and execute well. Poor planning not only stymies economic growth, but also stagnates healthcare, educational, and agricultural sectors.
On agriculture, Kalu said that he would initiate policies that would promote agriculture to the extent that Nigeria would one day be an exporter of agricultural products. He said that we must do the first thing first. “We must be able to feed ourselves first.”
He said that as you can see, most of these initiatives would stimulate our economy thereby providing employment and reducing the level of poverty.
Orji said that he would institute policies that would drive up the manufacturing industries, infusing the true concept of local content, while reducing the taste for certain imported goods.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is not utilizing the full opportunity the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) presents. Kalu believes that the benefits of AGOA is enormous only if the government could educate the private sector and initiate targeted policies that would boost manufacturing of exporting goods. For now, Nigeria is missing the benefits of AGOA.
AGOA is U.S. legislation enacted into law in May 2000 providing tariff preferences to African countries that qualify. For now, about 36 African countries had qualified for AGOA. According to a press release dated December 22, 2004 from the Office of Press Secretary of the White House, “The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a key pillar of the Administration's policy to spur economic development, alleviate poverty, and encourage trade in sub-Saharan Africa.”
“On December 21, President Bush determined that the following 36 countries continue to be eligible for economic and trade benefits under AGOA: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Ethiopia; Gabon; The Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; So Tome and Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Uganda; and Zambia. Burkina Faso was designated as eligible for economic and trade benefits under AGOA on December 10, 2004,” the statement continued.
Terrorism is a global problem that requires the concerted and collaborated effort of all countries to dislodge and finally eliminate. You cannot negotiate with terrorists. He pledged to work relentlessly to ensure the security of all Nigerians and those legitimately visiting Nigeria. Foreigners should feel safe in Nigeria.
Nigeria
must not allow the establishment of a terrorist base in the country. As a
president, Governor Orji Kalu said, that will not happen.
Kalu believes in a true federalism. As a matter of fact, he stressed that the survival and the sustainability of Nigerian democracy depend largely on the establishment of the principles of a true federalism.
In one of his speeches, Kalu said, “If you look in my face you will see a reflection of a new Nigeria. I represent a new generation of Nigerians devoted to the building a nation where there is no ethnic hate, corruption, or victimization.”
No wonder why many of his peers gravitate toward him. As we were talking, one of his aides announced the arrival of Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who was gracious to allocate the land for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidential Library at concessionary fees.
Kalu believes in one Nigeria that is equitable and fair to all ethnic and religious groups. He is the epitome of a detribalized Nigerian.
I mingled freely with him as if we had known each other for a long time. He is a good-natured man. The impromptu parley with the governors and a former governor was enlightening. Orji seemed to favor pragmatic solutions to seemingly difficult national and global issues. However, the presence of other dignitaries prevented the discussion on domestic issues, particularly the governor’s performance in Abia State. Well, our encounter next time would center on his performance as Abia State’s executive governor.