Forbes billionaire, Orji Kalu, set to launch hotel chain

Founder of Slok Group and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, is expanding his busi­ness empire into hospitality. Kalu, who was recently rated by Forbes as the fourth richest Nigerian and one of the 50 richest Africans, is said to be working tirelessly to en­sure the boutique hotels are completed on schedule.

The brand named Sun Heavens Hotels and Resort with the motto: “Try our heaven, feel the difference” is of international standard.

The hotel chain is being managed by a seasoned ex­pert from Turkey, Ms. Elis Seval, among other award-winning professionals in the hospitality industry.

According to Seval, the target market will include business visitors and tourists who appreciate topnotch hos­pitality services.

Daily Sun learnt that the Victoria Island facility billed for inauguration at the end of this month will attract celebrities, top business ex­ecutives, professionals and diplomats.

Other locations including Lekki, Ikoyi, Asokoro, Gudu, Umuahia and Enugu will be completed soon.

PRESIDENCY 2015: JONATHAN WILL DEFEAT BUHARI AGAIN – Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged politicians across political divides to refrain from heating up the polity with provocative statements ahead of the February general election. Kalu advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to see politics as call to service not a do-or-die. The former governor, who stated this yesterday while appearing on a programme on the African Independent Television (AIT), O&M Sunday show, said there was no point for politicians to engage in war of words “if their motive was to serve the populace and not for personal interests.”

Kalu, who predicted a win for President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential election, also stated that the opposition will control the National Assembly.

He said that President Jonathan has performed remarkably that he deserved re-election. He specifically applauded the Jonathan administration for its respect for the rule of law, massive investment in infrastructure, improved agricultural sector, among several others.

He said: “President Jonathan has done extremely well for Nigeria in all facets of life. The only challenge is that he is not being marketed very well. Talking about the rule of law, this administration encourages due process and if not for that what Mallam Nasir El-rufai was saying here if it were to be in another country, he would have been arrested the moment he is leaving the TV studio. “We could recall in the past when my airline’s licence was revoked basically for expressing dissenting views but in the case of Jonathan he has been fair to everyone. Let me be honest; nobody talks about the software, they only talk about the hardware. The president has been clear stating what he would do for the nation.

The marketers have not marketed him very well. The major software the president has done is the rule of law but we must note that Rome was not built in a day.” The former governor also took a swipe at Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the former President was wrong to have continued what he described as the unnecessary criticisms against the president. “Obasanjo has never seen anything good in what anyone else does.

To me, he is an elder statesman, and I want him to settle with the president. As we speak, they are making peace and I want to see the peace germinate to the success of the PDP. Sometimes, you don’t need to write a book and call yourself a saint and other people idiots; it is not right. You don’t have to come here and insult any elder of the PDP.

When my memo comes out Obasanjo will have a place in it,” he stated. Kalu said he is committed to making Nigeria works by ensuring that peace reigns and that businesses grow. “That is the focus of my Foundation which has dedicated very much to the campaign for successful election through massive mobilisation for sensitisation campaigns and through sponsorship of paid advertorials to ensure that every nook and cranny of the country take the message of peace,” he said. VIA IGTV

DO YOU AGREE WITH OUK?
Between Jonathan and Buhari who will you vote for in February?

Your recognition, testament of good works, Kalu tells awardees

Chairman of Slok Group and Publisher of The Sun, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, yester­day at The Sun Awards, urged the awardees to see the recogni­tion as a testament of their good works in the country, urging them not to relent in doing more.

Kalu, who was repre­sented by the Vice Chair­man of Slok Group, Rev. Emeka Abone, tendered an apology over absence at the event held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

He, however, thanked the readers of The Sun News­papers for their choice of the paper above others.

Kalu also thanked the management of The Sun for keeping the flag flying and charged them and the editorial team to keep The Sun shining by presenting fair, balanced and objective reports to the readers.

2015: Group Urges Orji Uzor Kalu to Rescind Decision Not to Contest

A group of Abia youths surprisingly on Monday stormed Abuja residence of former governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Kalu urging him to reconsider his decision to withdraw from the Abia North senatorial race.

The youths, under the auspices of Abia Mass Movement for Positive Change (Youth Wing), insisted that the former governor’s decision to withdraw from the race under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner was understandable, but his decision not to run at all was not acceptable to them as the entire Abia citizens are presently clamouring for positive change.

“Your Excellency, we are here today not for ourselves but as representatives of Abia youths. The older citizens who are alive today appreciate your philanthropic gestures especially the free medical scheme of Orji Kalu Foundation”, the spokesman of the group Martin Nnaukwu Ndukwe remarked.

“Our elders have sent us here today to deliver this noble message. They have sent us to plead with you to change your mind. We are pleading with you not to withdraw from the race, which is achievable on another platform other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We are indeed sorry for not informing your of our visit as the exigency did not afford us the opportunity, more so it’s also strategic that we did not let you know in advance our intention of coming to avoid rejection on your part and we believe you will understand.We have been mandated to come and convince you that the entire Abians want you back in the race. They want you to please rescind your decision. We know the PDP has not treated you fairly but please do not throw away the baby and the bath water. The project is still realisable given your acceptability and popularity among our people”, the group stated in their address.

The group added that none of the elders in the PDP is talking even though they have realised that they have all been hoodwinked by the “Chameleonic” sitting governor.“They are dumbfounded that they have been fooled individually and collectively by their master. They are full of shame and do not even know how to approach you. They were all the while made to believe that Orji Kalu was their main enemy, but today they have seen the light and know the truth and the truth has set us all free from the bondage of lies and deception. This is why we have come to urge you to reconsider your stance and give succour to the good people of Abia”.

The group also used the opportunity to call on Dr. Uche Ogah who was rigged out of the PDP governorship primaries in Abia to join forces with Orji Kalu in his efforts to bring about the real change in Abia.“Now that Uche Ogah has been rigged out by the PDP mercenary in Abia as they did other aspirants, we pray he joins forces with Kalu to make life more meaningful for the people. We urge the duo of Orji Kalu and Uche Ogah to reach out to other aggrieved aspirants with a view to building a formidable team that can fight the evil going on in our state”, the group further said.

The group concluded by describing the former governor as a bridge builder whom they believe can bring all positive forces in Abia together to bring the change that is highly needed.

In his response to the clarion call, Kalu thanked the group for their undying love and support not just for him but also for the entire Abians and Abia State.

In response, Dr. Kalu said, “I really appreciate your efforts for coming this far all the way from Abia to register your love and support for me and the belief you have just demonstrated that Abia must be great again is a source of joy and motivation. The beauty of leadership is that a leader does not force or impose himself on the people and most importantly, for the sake of peace and posterity, I had to take a decision that would preserve my reputation and image.

OUK as you all know is synonymous with honesty, integrity and accountability. The elections are still some months away. A whole lot of developments will definitely take place that will shape the future of Abia and in fact Nigeria as a whole. I will only implore you to maintain peace and order as I will communicate my position to you on 2015 elections as soon as any decision is taken”.

The group’s leader praised Kalu for the warm welcome and acceptance but still reiterated the group’s stand that the former governor should have a rethink to contest for the Abia North senatorial seat in the forthcoming elections.

In a similar development, the news about the former Chief of Staff to Governor T.A Orji, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu (MUK), running for a seat in the federal House to represent the Aba Federal Constituency has given the people hope that positive change is coming soon.

Orji Uzor Kalu’ll run for Senate, say PDP chiefs

Two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Chukwuma Dinne and Stan­ley Okoro have reaffirmed that former Abia State gover­nor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu will run for the Senate in the forth­coming general elections, in February next year. They said Kalu’s earlier withdrawal from the race was just to give peace a chance in Abia PDP.

Said Dinne, “He didn’t want to be an issue which will lead to election losses for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other PDP candidates in 2015.”

The two PDP chieftains ex­pressed unhappiness over the situation in their party and the fact that Kalu had to withdraw in an election he had the best chance of winning. As a re­sult, the two said that a solid platform is being built to en­able the former governor run in 2015.

It is not clear yet which plat­form the business mogul will utilise to actualise his ambition, but Chief Dinne disclosed to Sunday Sun yesterday that they would want the gubernatorial primaries to be concluded first before a final decision is taken on the platform, adding that this would happen on or before Wednesday this week.

“Though we are PDP mem­bers, we will build a solid plat­form on which Kalu will run for Abia North Senatorial seat. Running is a task that must be done. He is perhaps the most qualified in that senatorial dis­trict and his being a senator will make a difference in the lives of the people. We are aware that some people have asked Kalu to run for President, but he will not, as he was among the team of South easterners that made a promise to support Jonathan for a second term in office,” Chief Dinne affirmed.

Mr Stanley Okoro won­dered what was happening in the PDP now. He said: “We re­ally wonder what is happening in our party. Chief Barnabas Gemade has been forced to withdraw and may be heading for the APC. Governor Em­manuel Uduaghan of Delta State was forced to withdraw, and Kalu was also forced to withdraw. Elections are not won in that way. To win elec­tions, you must put your best men forward.”

Chief Emeka Nkemdirim, a stakeholder from Eluama in Isiukwuato in Abia State said that the people of the state want three people next year. “We want Uche Ogah as our next governor, Orji Kalu as our Senator for Abia North, and Goodluck Jonathan as our president. We are going to work for these three people,” he told Sunday Sun.

“In 2011, in the first Nation­al Assembly elections, before the elections were suspended, Kalu was already winning with 72 per cent of the votes and in the rescheduled election,he won with 63 per cent but a former Chief of Army Staff from my local government area manipulated the results using soldiers. We will not al­low it to happen this time. We will resist it with the last drop of our blood.

“Governor T.A Orji has been throwing the name of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, around. He claims that even if he brings a goat, the First Lady will bless it, and the goat will be elected. This time around, it will not hap­pen,” Nkemdirim said.

He warned INEC and any­body that may be disposed to manipulating the system not to play any tricks , insisting that the people are not in the mood for any tricks.

“It will not be like 2011 when T.A. Orji used the Chief of Army Staff to manipulate the elections with all the prom­ises made to the Army chief not kept. People will not be fooled this time,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Chief of Staff to Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief Mascot Kalu has pur­chased form to run for a House of Representatives seat on the platform of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). This is against the rumour being ped­dled principally by Governor T.A. Orji that the Igbere born politician wants to run for gov­ernorship in Abia State.

Sunday Sun learnt that as soon as the news filtered that Mascot was running, there was wild jubilation in the state, especially in the commercial city of Aba because they be­lieve that he will attract federal presence to Abia State. This is even as the people are lament­ing that the roads which were originally built by Orji Kalu, Mascot’s elder brother, when he was governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007 have collapsed completely under T.A Orji’s watch. Mascot has, however, vowed to work for President Jonathan’s re-elec­tion since his party, PPA has adopted him as its candidate.

Sunday Sun was also in­formed yesterday that Chief Chikwe Udensi who recently decamped from the All Pro­gressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to PPA is to buy a form tomorrow to run for Abia governorship. Chief Udensi said he left APGA for PPA be­cause he believes that PPA is more of a grassroots party than the others.

Orji Kalu withdraws from Abia Senatorial race

Former Governor of Abia State Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has withdrawn from the race for Abia North Senatorial district schedule for next year.

Dr Kalu it was learnt has written to the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) withdrawing from the race. He said his decision is personal sacrifice to save the Abia PDP from crisis

Kalu was seeking the ticket for the Abia North senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a letter dated November 24, 2014 and addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the former governor said he was withdrawing from the race because the Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, was bent on imposing his handpicked aspirants on the party in the state.

He lamented that the governor deceived some high profile members of the party into resigning their plum positions to contest elections, only for him to ditch them for his handpicked candidates.

Kalu said: “Along the line, however, it became apparent that the Abia State Governor, Chief T.A Orji wants to handpick all candidates, both into executive and legislative positions. He wants to choose his own successor, fill the 24 House of Assembly seats, the eight federal constituencies and the three senatorial seats.

“Governor Orji knew ahead of time that he had a candidate in mind but deliberately allowed eminent Abia citizens like Dr. Alex Otti, GMD of Diamond Bank to resign from his lofty position when he should have advised him to remain there.

“He also allowed the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu to resign and lose the Abia slot in the Federal Executive Council and other ministerial committees, he equally allowed two ranking members of the Senate, Senators Nkechi Nwogu and Enyinnaya Abaribe to pick gubernatorial forms when he should have advised them to go for re-election into the Senate.

“I find all these very disturbing. When Governor Orji was to be elected the first time in 2007, everyone knew where I stood three years before then that he was my anointed candidate. There was absolutely no ambiguity unlike now that he has allowed these people to lose their positions and resources chasing shadows. It is quite obvious that Governor Orji’s plan is to bring everybody down.”

While maintaining that there was no ward congress in Abia state, Kalu said the governor and his “collaborators” just compiled the list of delegates and this has forced some members of the PDP to defect to other parties.

He warned that it is dangerous for PDP to hang all its hope on one man, as elections are won by collective efforts and not as a solo run.

KALU GREETS ATIKU AT 68

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu,  has congratulated former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as he clocks 68 on Tuesday, November, 25.

Kalu described Alhaji Atiku  as a consummate politician and philanthropist.

In a birthday message signed by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, he said: "I join millions of your well wishers and family in celebrating your 68 birthday.  As you add another year, it is my prayer that God Almighty will continue to give you excellent health while granting your heart's desires'. Once again, many happy returns."

" Alhaji Atiku has contributed immensely to the social, economic and political well being of Nigeria, having served in different capacities in the public and private spheres of life".

He wished the celebrant a fulfilling birthday celebration.