The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu on Sunday celebrated pensioners, widows, orphans and the underserved people in the society.
The celebration of the aged and other people came on the heels of the 53rd birthday of the Deputy Speaker.
The people numbering over 2000 were drawn from across the 17 local government areas of Abia State and other states in the South East geopolitical zone.
It will be recalled that Kalu recently appealed to his friends and political allies to mark his birthday with a rendition of humanitarian services to the society.
Speaking at the event which held in his country home in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, Kalu said the gathering was to celebrate humanity.
He said that the event had no political connotations but purely a divine mandate to spread love and encourage unity amongst Nigerians.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu stated that the Deputy Speaker also distributed some food, household items and grants to the people to assist them.
The Deputy Speaker also organized an eyecare medical outreach where the aged had a check on their eyes with free eyeglasses to enhance their sight and vision.
He said: “This is what leadership is supposed to be. I can afford to be in Abuja in a fancy hotel with friends. But the question is what happens to these ones who are the underserved. Even recently the wife of the President, senator Tinubu, has been working hard to remember the aged. If you look around, you will see the aged, the pensioners. They are hardly invited to meetings.
“When they are doing empowerment, no one remembers them. Look at the widows. Nobody tells them I love you. Nobody tells them I care for you, yet they are our mothers. They are the mothers of this nation.
“What I decided to do today is to incorporate even the physically challenged ones, the school of the blind, less privileged, motherless babies homes they are all here.
“God asked me to do this, celebrate with these underserved. What’s the essence of keeping things only for politics, when it’s election period, campaign period, then you bring them out?
“What about humanity? I’m not interested in the political party or region they belong to. I’m interested in the color of humanity which shows if you’re up, extend your hands to lift those who are down.
“Today, we are giving them food. We are giving them the ones they will go home with. We’ll also give them money, small grants that they can go home with. Just a show of love.
“This is Benjamin’s day, let’s spread love. Let’s spread peace, unity and show each other that we care.
“What’s sweet about it is that some of them are not even from my federal constituency. They cut across all parts of Igbo land. And I said come let’s dine together and I’m happy they are here”, he said.
Kalu also assured Nigerians workers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s avowed commitment towards improving their welfare by raising their pay package.
The Deputy Speaker expressed optimism of better days in the nearest future, saying that the President is working tirelessly to reposition the country in all spheres, urging Nigerians to support the current administration.
“I always believe in Mr. President. We were one of those who started working with him before the primaries, using a platform at the National Assembly. I was the secretary of that platform even before the primaries, even before the congress. We saw the quality of leadership that’s in him.
“If he has made a pronouncement, he will live to it. He has promised Nigerian workers that they will smile, definitely they will smile.
“Tinubu wants to clean up the place so that we can have a genuine livelihood that’s sustainable. Let’s keep supporting and encouraging him,” Kalu said