From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Chief Whip of the Senate and Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has tasked youths interested in joining the nation’s politics to strive to become successful in business enterprises before venturing into the system.
According to the ‘Forbes’ rated businessman and Politician, being a successful entrepreneur helps avoid the pressure to abuse public office by not having the inclination to steal from the public purse to maintain a high level lifestyle.
The Abia-North Senator and eminent business entrepreneur made the comment while fielding questions from pupils of “Green Path Preparatory School”, Gaduwa, FCT who paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly, Abuja where he took time to tutor the young minds on the hierarchical structure and functions of members of the National Assembly.
While encouraging the young ones to join politics, Kalu urged them not see public office as a source of livelihood but an opportunity to serve the people by providing the needed infrastructure and policies, he however stressed that being successful business entrepreneur before joining politics helps in bringing fresh energy into the public service and focus in the demand for transparency and accountability.
Receiving the student delegation which consisted of the school’s Student Representatives Council (SRC) led by Chief Whip, Miss Tahira Mijindadi alongside other principal officers and staff, Kalu disclosed that despite having chains of businesses he ventured into Politics out of his zeal to serve.
“Service to the people is what drove me into Politics, I was already successful in my businesses and I am still very successful. As some of you are aware I started my business in Maiduguri by trading in Palm Oil, from there I diversified into furniture making and supply.
From there I continued to develop other businesses which are still thriving till today. I established chains of thriving businesses before joining politics and becoming a Governor. I felt that by going to politics I can impact more in my community. By going into Politics I can influence Gov’t policies not just only building infrastructures”.
Kalu noted that with a booming business he engaged in philanthropy but he needed to do more by joining Politics.
” Politics is not a business venture or source of livelihood, if you have the interest to serve and you want to succeed in Public service, you must have a very successful and verifiable business or businesses of your own. So that you won’t be tempted to abuse public office, because there’s a second address to return to whenever you’re out of Politics or public office.”
He continued;
“I have always believed I can make Policies that can change Nigeria become economically viable . Police are not just what we make for today but what will the test of time for the future. For the people and for society.”
Earlier in her remarks Chief Whip of the SRC, Miss Tahira expressed her delight at meeting with Senator Kalu, she narrated hearing about Kalu as the Chief Whip motivated her to start her campaign to become the School’s SRC Chief Whip.
“I wanted to run and I talked to My Teacher and I told him the reasons I wanted to run, so I started my campaign with my mum and I spent nights working on my campaign posters and printing and election day came and I was voted for via ballot box and they announced my name.” I am so happy to be here today and we have learnt a lot.
During the meeting; Kalu commended the students for the visit and the Junior Chief Whip for her courage , he explained the nomenclature of the parliaments as well as the functions of hierarchy and functions of the principal officers and members.
When asked if he would like to become Nigeria’s President,
Kalu said; “In Nigeria there is not one person that decides in Nigeria , there are stakeholders who sit and determine if you’re capable or not. For me I would like to come back to the Senate, but if Nigerians find me worthy to serve them, who am I to say no , I have the capacity to unite and drive the development process of our nation. I understand Nigeria better than most leaders. I have not considered being a President.”
MD And CEO of the school, Mr Oyenuga who accompanied the students to the visit , thanked Kalu hosting the staff and students which he described as a rare opportunity. Oyenuga said the students had taken things they could leverage on to be able to take on their offices and perform their duties optimally.