Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Learning The Hard Way at 60

By: Oladapo Sofowora 

When he held away as Governor of Abia State, Senator representing Abia North at the upper national assembly Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is a toast of many politicians in Nigeria, most expecially, within the south-east region. He broke a feat, becoming the youngest governor in Nigeria at age 39, thereafter serving two term between 1999-2007.

Years ago, if a soothsayer had told him that he would be in jail to celebrate his 60th birthday, the astute politician would have debunked the vision vehemently. He would believe that, he is a strong politician with a powerful pedigree, his affiliations with the rulling party and his filial relationship with President Buhari. With all these factors, he could not escape the wrath of the law. Kalu was convicted by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday, December 5, 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in prison for defrauding Abia State using his Slok Holding to divert N7.65 billion.

On Tuesday, 21st of April, the astute politician and Chairman of Slok Holdings sauntered into the league of sexagenerian amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, observers had thought favour seekers and political associates would have remembered him by showering encomium for reaching such milestone on planet earth. Alas, he was forgotten in a hurry as nobody placed an advertorial to celebrate him apart from his immediate family.

If he was not in prison, newspaper advertorials and wishes would have been flying round the media space. Many cows would have been slaughtered choice of high cost wines, friends and political associates would have been lodged at 5 star hotels. His constituents would have flooded his country home at Igbere, Abia State to celebrate with him. His friends would have opted to throw an high-octane 60th birthday soiree for him in Lagos, Abuja, London, New York and Dubai. To his chagrin, he has been deserted by favour seekers some of his friends and associates.

A close source divulged that; Orji Kalu is currently learning the hard way. By the time he serves his jail term, he would decipher his true friends from his enemies. Imagine someone of his caliber because he is in prison not even a friend or those he has impacted positively remembered him. It shows that; Failure is indeed an orphan. Success is a fortunate child. Nobody will celebrate you in your trying times. I am just surprised that a good and kind hearted man like Kalu deserves to be celebrated even in trying times.”