Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has emerged Legislator of the Year 2025 by LEADERSHIP.
The award was in recognition of his quality representation and lawmaking.
Kalu who spoke after receiving the award letter formally presented to him by management of LEADERSHIP, thanked the organisation for the recognition and honour. He said the award is an indication that Nigeria is moving towards merit-based systems.
The lawmaker representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, said that for Nigeria’s most influential newspaper to honour him without him having a personal relationship with it or lobbying for the award showed that those doing their jobs the way they should are being recognised.
Kalu said he was inspired to put in more efforts in the discharge of his duties as a lawmaker for the socio-economic advancement of the country.
“I must commend LEADERSHIP Newspaper for the great work you’ve been doing, especially in projecting leadership. Because for me, one of the things that brought me back to the country remains the fact that I saw a gap in leadership.
“We have everything; it is just strengthening our leadership that will make us convert everything we have to solve our problems. I noticed that we are blessed with human and natural resources, but the leadership needed to harness these resources towards achieving the definite objectives of this country was missing.
“I also understood that one person cannot solve it, but if we all play one small role or the other in whatever little space we find ourselves in, gradually we’ll make the change that everyone is looking for. So I chose the parliament.
“Usually, I don’t take this kind of award. I have not had any personal relationship with any of you. I didn’t lobby for this. It’s just based on merit, and I like that a lot — that Nigeria is moving towards meritocracy. If you are a leadership newspaper, you should project that element in leadership where only what you work for will be used to attract the reward that you desire.
“I want to thank you for recognising the work we are doing. It’s not been easy because, like I always say, though we are three arms of government, we are one government. So our job is to make sure that there is strategic partnership for the sake of the nation, ensuring that laws guide the aspirations of the executive so that they will get the expected result.
“I want to encourage you to keep reporting without bias. We cannot do without great platforms like yours which communicate what we do to those who may not have access to us. You are great builders on the wall of the advancement of our democracy,” Kalu added.
It would be recalled that LEADERSHIP, in November 2025, unveiled its 2025 awardees, with Deputy Speaker Kalu emerging Legislator of the Year 2025.
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