Abuja, Nigeria – August 7, 2025
Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, the immediate past Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, has extended his warm congratulations to the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, on his recent academic milestone.
In a message made available to the press, Engr. Orji described Kalu’s successful defense of his Ph.D thesis in Policy and Strategic Studies at the Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, as “a shining example of resilience, intellectual excellence, and unwavering commitment to personal development.”
“Your quest for knowledge, even at the height of political leadership and national responsibility, is deeply inspiring,” Orji said. “You have shown that leadership and learning go hand in hand. This is not only a personal victory but a source of pride to Abians and Nigerians at large.”
Orji commended Kalu for blazing the trail in combining governance with academia and urged young Nigerians to emulate his example of lifelong learning.
“As you emerge a Doctor of Philosophy, may your journey continue to impact national policy and strategic leadership, and may God continue to engrace your path,” he added.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, successfully defended his doctoral thesis and has now earned the title of Ph.D, in what many have described as a rare academic pursuit among serving top lawmakers.
