President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday conferred one of Nigeria’s highest national honours — Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) — on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The prestigious award was presented during President Tinubu’s State of the Nation Address at the special joint sitting of the National Assembly, held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, 2025.
The honour marks a rapid elevation for Kalu, who had earlier been awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Tinubu during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day broadcast on October 1, 2024.
Observers say the upgrade from CON to CFR within eight months signals President Tinubu’s recognition of the Deputy Speaker’s remarkable leadership, consistent contributions to national unity, and commitment to public service.
Rt. Hon. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, has championed several landmark initiatives at the National Assembly. Among them is the widely celebrated South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill, which President Tinubu signed into law last year to drive economic growth and infrastructure development across the South East.
Kalu is also the founder of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) — a non-kinetic peacebuilding programme aimed at fostering security, social cohesion, and sustainable development in the region.
Prior to becoming Deputy Speaker, Kalu served as the spokesperson of the 9th House of Representatives, earning a reputation as an articulate and dynamic legislator.
His latest national honour is seen as a testament to his growing influence on the national stage and his unrelenting efforts to promote good governance, peace, and equitable development in Nigeria.
