The Sun Publishing Limited has nominated Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for its 2026 Innovative Legislator of the Year Award, citing his legislative contributions, leadership style and public service record.
The management of The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of The Sun newspapers, has described the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, as a visionary leader of the 21st century following his selection for the organisation’s 2026 Innovative Legislator of the Year Award.
The newspaper’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he led a delegation of the company’s management team to present the nomination letter to Kalu.
According to Ukeh, the Board of Editors selected the Deputy Speaker for the award on merit after extensive deliberations, citing his approach to legislative representation, leadership and public service.
He explained that the Innovative Legislator of the Year Award recognises lawmakers who adopt dynamic approaches to representation to achieve results.
In the nomination letter, the newspaper described Kalu as a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international businessman, peace advocate and thought leader in governance and development, noting that his career spans more than two decades across the public and private sectors.
The management said his experience in law, public policy, diplomacy and humanitarian service informed its decision to select him for the award.
Photo Credit: Deputy Speaker’s Media Office
From Bende Council Chairman to Deputy Speaker
The Sun management traced Kalu’s political career to his tenure as chairman of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, followed by his appointment as Executive Adviser to the Abia State Government on Millennium Development Goals and International Relations.
Kalu was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019, where he served as chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and spokesperson of the House.
During his tenure in that role, the newspaper credited him with introducing communication initiatives, including the establishment of Green Chamber Magazine and regular press briefings aimed at improving public access to information about the activities of the legislature.
Following his re-election in 2023, Kalu emerged as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives. He also serves as chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The Sun management said his role in the constitutional review process places him among lawmakers involved in efforts to shape reforms relating to democracy, inclusion and national unity.
during the formal presentation of the Nomination Letter of the The Sun Award on Wednesday in Abuja.
Photo Credit: Deputy Speaker’s Media Office
Cites Legislative Bills, Constituency Projects
The newspaper also highlighted Kalu’s legislative activities and constituency interventions, including the sponsorship of bills addressing governance and development issues.
According to the nomination letter, his constituency projects have covered road rehabilitation, education and healthcare, with initiatives including medical centres, solar-powered boreholes and classroom blocks across the 13 electoral wards in Bende Federal Constituency.
The management further pointed to Kalu’s academic qualifications, which include doctoral degrees in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja and in Law from the University of Calabar.
He also holds a Master of Laws degree in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law, with distinction, from the University of Calabar; an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom; and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Calabar.
Beyond Nigeria, the newspaper noted his involvement in regional and international parliamentary bodies.
Kalu serves as chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget. He is also a member of the Pan-African Parliament, a steering committee member of the World Trade Organization Parliamentary Conference, and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Award Ceremony Holds November 13
Ukeh said the selection followed extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors and was based on the Deputy Speaker’s record of representation and approach to leadership.
In the letter, the management described Kalu as a leader whose work combines law, policy, diplomacy and humanitarian service in pursuit of a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
The company also thanked the Deputy Speaker for accepting the nomination.
The formal presentation of the Innovative Legislator of the Year Award is scheduled to take place at The Sun Awards ceremony on November 13, 2026, in Lagos.
The statement was signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
For Advertisement, Press Release, Sponsored Post and Tip-Off, Contact Us at: Email: Info@abacitybloq.com |Whatsapp: +2347038111972 | Telegram: @Abacityblog
