April 6, 2018

The former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu’s Foundation will partner Hope Alive Foundation of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye, Ojaja 11, to empower over 2, 000 petty traders in Ile-Ife.

Kalu made this known during his peace advocacy tour to South-West on Friday, at Ooni’s Palace, in Ile-Ife.

He debunked the allegations of embezzling millions of Naira, saying Nigerians are good at spreading rumour to blacklist people of high integrity.

The former governor said that he was the chairman of National Bank at the age of 25 and governor at 38.

According to him, his Foundation had paid over fifty thousand WAEC fees and scholarship to students from primary to secondary.

“I am the first and youngest Nigerian to receive national award of MFR, who assisted transporters with over 50 buses.

“I financed PDP in 1998 and have 177 branches of my bank with 5,000 staff, so how come I stole Nigeria money’’ he highlighted.

He, therefore, advocated for peace, saying Nigeria needed peace; no country can progress without peaceful atmosphere.

“Nigerians should maintain peace and harmony across the nation, saying there is no gain in violence, but should maintain peaceful co-existent across the country,’’ he said.

Kalu, who commended Ooni for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, condemned some politicians that were writing against him.

“No leader is perfect, all leaders have their weak side, even when some decided to be writing letters every now and then.

“Even the Bible and Qur’an asked us to be submissive, obey and respect our rulers,’’ he emphasised.

Kalu said there was hope in the nearest future for his tribe to rule the nation, if God permits.

In his response, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, commended Kalu for his peaceful advocacy tour to Southwest.

Ooni lauded him for being the philanthropist per excellent, a political stalwart, and benevolence personality, who was the voice for the voiceless.

“It takes the grace of God for someone like you to be going from one state to another mainly on maintenance of peace.

“Try to keep it up without waiting for man’s competition, God will continue to reward you,’’ he added.