- Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Deputy President of the Senate Ovie-Omo Agege and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase rendered unending tributes to Mrs. Ifunany Kalu the Wife of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Mrs. Ifunanya who added another year to her age was treated to a surprise Birthday party organised by her husband the former Governor of Abia state and current Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Senator Omo Agege who was among the long list of VVIP personalities who graced the event held at the “Aso-Villa” residence of the Kalus extolled the virtues of Mrs. Ifunanya Kalu .
Senator Agege expressed his admiration at the roles played by the Wife of the Senate Chief which he described as an attestation of a “good wife”. According to Senator Agege, a notable role displayed by Mrs. Ifunanya was how she stood by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during his six months incarceration at the Kuje custodial centre, Abuja.
In his words” We are gathered here today to celebrate first our colleague brother and friend; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu but most importantly his Wife; Mrs. Ifunanya Kalu. “The bible tells us that he who finds a wife finds a good thing. We can all see that it has been manifested by our brother the Chief Whip because of what his wife means to him.
He continued; it is one thing to be told the story of who she is; it is also another thing to observe and see and know exactly who she is and who she has been to her husband.
Commending her supportive role during Senator Kalu’s incarceration, Agege said” Most of us know how you stood by your husband one hundred percent throughout his challenges. I told a couple of people each time we saw you at Kuje whenever we visited the prison that you are a woman that truly demonstrates that it is not always in good times that you know who your friend is, but also when you have your challenges; frankly they don’t come any better than her.
“She is a kind of woman that you have or you want to have as your wife. That is why when the husband told me he wanted to organise a surprise birthday party for you I was surprised as well.
We join your husband to celebrate you to wish the very best and to further reassure you as we did not too long ago that you can always count on us.
On his part the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Rt Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase has words of prayers for Mrs. Ifunanya.
He said “I want to appreciate God for what he has done for us in the life of our sister. My wish for her is many years in return, prosperity and the blessings of God be upon you and the members of your family. May God continue to keep you alive, God bless you very much.”
Husband of the celebrant and Chief whip of the Senate; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who gave his speech earlier; described his Wife as his “better half” . He recalled how she visited him every day throughout the six months he spent at Kuje prisons. An emotional Kalu expressed his gratitude to his wife for standing by him during his difficult times.
In his words, ” Today is a day to appreciate my better half ; who tried so much in times of difficulties and every other situation she has always been with me.
“This lady came to Kuje for six months every day, she was very punctual everyday that she came, there was no day she didn’t come. This is the first time ever we are celebrating Birthday in this house; because she wasn’t even aware that we were organising a birthday party for her. I told the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President to keep the event secret . I want to thank her for undiluted companionship. Life is a learning place and we continue learning everyday.
Senator Kalu also extended his gratitude to his colleagues, friends, family and associates.
He said “I want to appreciate all my colleagues present here, and to thank others who took out time to attend. I want to appreciate my wife immensely and to appreciate everyone of you who came to appreciate her. I want to thank my colleague for the support they have given to me,especially our boss, the President of the Senate and his Deputy.
The event was preceded by a Holy Mass celebration held at the private Catholic chapel at the Aso-Villa residence of the Kalus they were joined by immediate family members and friends. The mass was officiated by Rev Fr Mike Okonkwo and Fr Francis Mario at Kalu’s Catholic Private Chapel.
The birthday reception which was expected to be a low key celebration attracted the attendance of various dignitaries drawn from the business and political sector.
They include; the leadership of the upper and lower legislative arms led by Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; also among the dignitaries was the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Ahmed Idris Wase and the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.
Also present were a former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rt Honourable Emeka Ihedioha; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his wife, Sulola; the Minister of Power, Mamman Saleh; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; the Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
The roll call also includes serving and former senators and Members of the House of Representatives. Amongst them were the Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Borrofice, Rochas Okorocha, Sam Egwu, Chukwuka Utazi, Akon Eyakenyi, Elisha Abbo, Peter Nwaoboshi, Chimaroke Nnnamani, Michael Nnachi, Umar Sadiq, Chris Adighije, Lee Maeba, Uche Ekwunife, Nkechi Nwaogu, and Hon. Benjamin Kalu among others.
