Former Abia state Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has began a process towards building bridge across religious, political and ethnic divides in the country even as he asked that the traditional rulers be given roles in the nation quest for peace and stab ility.
Dr. Orji Kalu also quickly debunked insinuations in certain quarters that his visits to royal fathers in the country has political colouration.
He acknowledged that the visit he had since embarked upon, to traditional rulers and other prominent Nigerians in various geo political zones of the country has been one of the processes towards realising his dream of a truly united Nigeria.
Orji Kalu who, at the weekend, visited the Soun of Ogbomoso in Osun state, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Arowolaran, emphasized that the visit had nothing to so with politics, but a continuation of his bridge building across religious, political and ethnic divides.
Orji Kalu said that he had visited some other parts of the country, including the North, and would continue with the visit as a way of ensuring that the country remains one.
He dismissed the notion that his visit had any connection with the 2015 elections, adding: “you know me that I shoot straight and say it the way it is. I am not set for politics. I am only conferring with traditional rulers all over the country.
“The country is so dear to my heart. We must live peacefully. The country belongs to us all and we must continue to support our leaders.
“Just the way I have called for support for President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, so also do I want to appeal for us to support the Soun in order to move Ogbomoso forward. The people of Ogbomoso must also support the kabiyesi.”
Earlier, Oba Oyewumi had described Orji Kalu as an uncommon politician, saying that Kalu had demonstrated the qualities of a good leader with his conduct before, during and after his gubernatorial tour in Abia State.
The Soun had conferred on Orji Kalu the title of Aro of Ogbomoso six years ago, but was not at the chieftaincy award ceremony as he was out of Nigeria then.
Kalu’s visit was the first official visit since then
Oba Oyewumi said that Orji Kalu has remained an astute businessman with a capacity for helping those in need.
At the Palace of Oba Okunade Sijuade today, Dr. Orji Kalu said that since the traditional rulers are the closest to the people, they have huge roles to play in the restoration of peace to Nigeria.
He called on Ooni not to abandon his bridge building initiatives, even as he commended the monarch for his consistency in preaching and practicing the peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or tribe.
“You are known across the country and worldwide as a man of peace and I must tell you there is still much more to do. I want you to galvanise our people to support our leaders instead of fighting our leaders and ourselves.
“President Goodluck Jonathan has done well for Nigeria and needs our support.
“The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has done well and we should support him.
“Kabiyesi, you have also done well and I am calling on your subjects to also support you.”
Dr. Orji Kalu wanted Nigerians to live in peace with one another, irrespective of culture, age, colour and tribe.
The Ooni congratulated Dr. Orji Kalu, whose businesses, he said, have created robust job opportunities for Nigerians.
Oba Sijuwade advised his guest to continue to support the peaceful co-existence of the country as he had always done, wishing him well in all his endeavours.
While in the Palace of Oba Aromolaran of Ilesa, Osun State, Dr. Orji Kalu said his visit is aimed at preaching love and unity, adding that as the custodian of tradition and representative of the people, traditional rulers have dominant roles to play in maintaining peace and stability.
The Owa described Kalu as an exemplary Nigerian who has contributed to the social, political and economic development of Nigeria.
“Right from your days as Governor of Abia State, I have always followed your selfless initiatives.
“Based on this, coupled with your accomplishments in life, on behalf of myself, the Ijesaland traditional council and the good people of Ijesaland, I hereby confer on you the chieftaincy title of Bobameto (the Chief Strategist) of Ijesaland.

Husband of Professor Dora Akunyili, former Nigerian information minister, Dr. Chike Akunyili, has praised the courage of his wife to pick up another national assignment, as delegate to the ongoing National Conference despite her illness.
In a message posted this evening on his wife’s Facebook page, Dr. Akunyili expressed his support for Dora, to whom he has been married for 36 years. He allayed fears expressed in some quarters about his wife’s present physical condition occasioned her recent illness.
Professor Akunyili’s husband, a medical expert, described his wife, Dora as “my unique and lovely wife” and as “a noted personality (who) risked everything for the love of our dear country Nigeria.”
He disclosed that he has been offering support to Dora on her present assignment as a National Conference delegate and was there live when she made a brilliant speech at the conference on Tuesday, April 1.
“I thank God that I was present when she made that very singular speech. It resonated in the corners of the Confab and instantly touched many hearts. The illness has not blunted her childlike frankness in our blessed 36 years of marriage,” Dr. Akunyili wrote.
He thanked all those who have been praying for Dora as she seeks to continue with her normal life despite having lost weight as a result of her illness.
Below is the text of his message:
“May the good LORD bless all of you that have prayed and still pray for my unique and lovely wife DORA. She is a noted personality and risked everything for the love of our dear country NIGERIA. I thank God that I was present when she made that very singular speech. It resonated in the corners of the Confab and instantly touched many hearts. The illness has not blunted her childlike frankness in our blessed 36 years of marriage

The Alaafin of Oyo in Oyo State, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (III), has described the former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo as “a moving train” that former Governor of Abia state, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was able to cross.
He said it takes courageous man like Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to step on toes, and powerful ones like that of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Kalu was one of the few people with courage to confront Obasanjo, whom we know as a moving train.”
Oba Adeyemi who spoke today when Kalu paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Oyo, said that he had followed Kalu even before he became governor and knew that Kalu had always been a courageous man that would not mind saying the truth even at a great risk to his life.
Oba Adeyemi briefly recalled the many face-offs Kalu had during his tenure as governor with the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, saying that he was once caught in the crossfire between Kalu and Obasanjo.
Adeyemi, who revealed a secret he said he had been keeping for years, said Kalu helped him in running his empire with the provision of funds, adding: “In your eight years in government, you did very well.
“You had money before you became governor so it wasn’t that you went into politics to look for money.
“In fact, I wanted to confer him with a chieftaincy title but he ran away.
“And one thing he did not want me to disclose while he was governor was that he gave me a lot of money to run my own empire and government.
“In so many instances, you stepped on toes. That is the attribute of a courageous man.
“He even confronted Obasanjo, a moving train. I ran into one of their face-offs.”
Oba Adeyemi prayed for Kalu after his speech in which he also eulogised Kalu for establishing so many businesses for Nigerians and even foreigners to benefit from.
He asked God to embrue Kalu with long life so he could enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Kalu, who went on the trip with Senator Emmanuel Onwe, Bayo Fatussin (CEO of House J), Hon. Chibuike Jonas, Hon. Edozie Mbam and Akinniyi Babatunde, said he was in Oyo to “pay homage to my father”.
Kalu thanked Oba Adeyemi for standing by him throughout his “trauma” in Abia State as governor.
He said this was more so during his many confrontations with Obasanjo.
He said he was in Ibadan to deliver the Centenary Lecture of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo State chapter and felt it would not be right not to see the eminent paramount ruler.
He admonished Nigerians to continue to co-exist in peace.
He said Nigerians should see the wisdom in the decision of God to put them together into one country, adding: “We should be tolerant of our religious and language differences.
“Diversity should be our strength and should not put us in disarray.
“European countries are acquiring other countries.
“But in our own case we want to break up.
“God knows why He made us this way and why He put us together so we should maximise our size and diversity.”
Kalu said that with the several challenges facing the country, it has become important to support those in leadership positions.
“Once somebody is elected, he needs the support of all, irrespective of parties, religious and tribal differences.
“Let us give our leaders the opportunity to showcase what they have.”
Kalu prayed to God to grant Oba Adeyemi long life.