The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Enyi Abia) has charged members of BOK Friends Initiative to be the flag bearers of peace, social justice and good governance particularly in the South Eastern part of the country.
Rt. Hon. Kalu gave the charge during the formal inauguration of BOK Friends Initiative (a voluntary, non-political support group) at Umuahia, Abia State on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Kalu, while congratulating members of BOK Friends Initiative on the milestone of its formal inauguration, reiterated his commitment to efforts aimed at rebuilding the South East as a paradise of peace and economic prosperity in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government, and urged members of BOK Friends Initiative to commit themselves to the pursuit of peace and social justice through robust advocacy.
In his words, “Few months ago, leaders from all parts of the country, including President Tinubu converged in Bende to herald the birth of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P). That historic convergence was a bold statement on the vital importance of peace as the anchor point for economic prosperity and sustainable development of society. Therefore as I congratulate BOK Friends Initiative on its inauguration today, let me say that the most important assignment before you is to join actively in the process to promote peace in the South East. This is an objective that is very dear to Mr. President whose pragmatic agenda of Renewed Hope is also anchored on the pursuit of peace and sustainable economic prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Earlier in his address, the National Coordinator, BOK Friends Initiative, Hon. Chief Emmanuel Onwuchekwa (Otamba) said that BOK Friends Initiative is “an idea of good-spirited persons from different professions, creed and political affiliations to support and propagate the good works of the man of the people with exceptional grassroots approach, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives. In other words, we are the ‘messengers’. This Organization is structured to inculcate and embrace the uniqueness and openness of our Principal, Rt. Hon. Kalu particularly in bringing peace and development to the grassroots through a non-kinetic approach.”
Chief Onwuchekwa while emphasizing that Rt. Hon. Kalu has brought much difference in leadership and put smiles on the faces of the underprivileged over the years, expressed profound appreciation to Kalu and other personalities who had gathered to support BOK Friends Initiative. He informed that the Organization already had functional chapters outside Abia, especially in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, and extended a hand of fellowship to everyone to come on board.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Captain Paul Adamu Nwachukwu (Rtd), Chairman of the Inauguration Committee, Pastor Okechukwu Dike and the Abia State Coordinator, Chief Henry Okorie, appreciated the support of dignitaries who had come to identify with BOK Friends Initiative while thanking members and stakeholders of the Organization for their steadfast commitment to its goals. They assured that the Organization would always remain focused on its objectives.
In their respective goodwill messages, former Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly who also served briefly as Acting Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka; Niger Delta Development Commission Board Member representing Abia State, Chief Dimgba Eruba; National Population Commission Board Member representing Abia State, Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke; BOK Friends Initiative National Women Leader, Chief Mrs. Ochiaka Lilian (Ada ka Ibe ya); and Chief Nwadinma Bright (Mayor Ndi Igbo, Ghana) congratulated members of BOK Friends Initiative and pledged their support for the programs and activities of the Orgaization.
The event which was masterfully conducted by Chief Prosper Nwachukwu (Elder Propropro of Flo FM, Umuahia) had in attendance the BOK Friends Initiative BOT Secretary, Hon. Orji Udeagha, members from the 17 LGAs of Abia State, delegations from the Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt Chapters, as well as numerous friends and well-wishers of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
