The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON has felicitated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on his 53^rdbirthday.

Akpabio, in a birthday message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described Kalu as a “rising star, a reliable colleague and outstanding legislator”.

He applauded Deputy Speaker Kalu for effectively collaborating with him and other lawmakers to give Nigeria a voice and a place of pride at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) after 49 years.

The Senate President stated that as deputy speaker, Kalu has exuded high level of commitment to nation building and support to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to have a peaceful and resourceful chamber.

He commended the deputy speaker for his patriotism and great love shown the people of the South East by leading a peace campaign using his Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P).

“Honourable deputy speaker, I can say without mincing words that you’re a patriot. Since your emergence as deputy speaker, you have been preaching peace and unity, trying to reintegrate the people of the South East to the centre.

“I must commend you for floating the PISE-P-, whose sole aim is to reestablish enduring peace in the South East region. I celebrate you for being a worthy representative of your constituents, the people of South East and Nigeria as a whole.

“On behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate, I wish you a happy birthday and many more years of sound health and fruitful service to the nation and humanity. Congratulations!