AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR, BOK.FI, HON EMMANUEL ONWUCHEKWA (OTAMBA) ON THE INAUGURATION OF ABIA STATE EXECUTIVES THIS 15TH DAY OF JUNE, 2024.
PROTOCOLS
BOK FRIENDS INITIATIVE, is an idea of good spirited persons from different professions, creed, and political affiliations to Support and disseminate the good works of the man of the People, the man with exceptional grassroots approach, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives to the grassroots, in order words, we are the ‘messengers. This organisation is structured to inculcate and embrace the uniqueness and openness of our principal, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, particularly in bringing peace and development to the grassroots through a non-kinetic approach.
In 2003, the man Benjamin Kalu made a strong wave into Abia politics from the diaspora. He got so much love from the youths and many that ignited a heavy protest to the government house when the “cabal” in the then government denied him the ticket to his dream position, House of Representatives, which earned him the “The Mayor of Abia Youths”.
When, in 2019, through consistency and hard work, he won his “dream office,” providence positioned him as the spokesperson to the National Assembly, a job he did to the admiration of all. Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu performed creditably that earned him so much love across party lines that he won his major opponents even in their own polling units during the 2023 general elections. As if his colleagues knew the endowments in him, he was returned unopposed as the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.
Our principal, the Deputy Speaker, has brought much difference m leadership, owing strength to the development of South East through message of peace.
The Leadership skills and the development strides have brought together thiscalibrer of men and women of all works of life. There could be no other reason he was given an uncommon reception by the Abia State Government on the 28th December, 2023 with an investiture a “Enyi Abia” being the first to receive such honor from an opposition party in the state. Sometime in February, we inaugurated the Abuja chapter of this organization and today. we are here from the home chapter, Abia State chapter. We will, in weeks, do thye same for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Enugu, Imo, and others. The spread and acceptance are enormous.
As the Abia State Chapter is inaugurated today, you are hereby commissioned to be good ambassadors of the Deputy Speaker from your
localities. Let Your conduct speak for the organization and our principal. The national leadership will not tolerate any form of misconduct and unseriousness.
Many are angling to be like you but you have already been chosen, do not give any space for you to be removed or replaced by your conduct. He who works eats, no food for a lazy man, do work hard genuinely, to reap bountifully.
On behalf of the BOKFI family, I sincerely appreciate our principal for the support of this very program, and most importantly, his esteemed presence today with arrays of dignitaries.
Let me also thank our Patron, Rtd. Capt. Paul Adamu Nwachukwu, who has given us shoulder to lean.
My special thanks also goes to Chief Agu Egbe, Chief Eruba Dirrigba, Chief Anyansi Agwu, and our other stakeholders who have carried this vision to this great height.
Thank you all.
