Prior to winning the election as the Governor, he served as the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited and chairman of the Borno Water Board.
Orji Uzor Kalu is one of the richest politicians in Nigeria with a number of businesses to his credit, including the popular Daily Sun newspapers. He is also the chairman of SLOK Holding and the New Telegraph newspapers in Nigeria.
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Orji Uzor Kalu Profile
Before we continue, here's a quick run down on Orji Uzor Kalu's profile and a few things you'd love to know about him:Full name: Orji Uzor Kalu
Date of birth: 21st April, 1960
Age: 60 years
Nationality: Nigerian
Residence: Abuja, Nigeria
Parents: Johnson Uzor Nesiegbe Kalu (father), Eunice Uzor Kalu (mother)
Wife: Ifeoma Orji Uzor Kalu
Children: Neya Kalu, Olivia Kalu, Michael Uzor Kalu, Nicole Kalu
Alma mater:University of Maiduguri,
Occupation: Politician, businessman
Net worth: $330 million
Orji Uzor Kalu Biography, Date Of Birth, Family, Early Life And Education
Orji Uzor Kalu was born on the 21st April, 1960 into the family of Mr. Johnson Uzor Nesiegbe Kalu and Mrs Eunice Kalu. He had his early education at the Christ the King School Aba and Government College Umuahia before proceeding to the Barewa College, Zaria.Kalu further enrolled into the University of Maiduguri where he studied political science. He was a student activist during his days at UniMaid and participated in the 'Ali Must Go' riots against the education minister. This lead to his suspension from the school.
Orji Uzor Kalu Business Career
He began trading palm oil with only $35 that he had borrowed from his mother. Then, he'd first buy the oil from the Nigeria's eastern regions and resale them in the country's northern regions. As his income increased, he began buying and reselling furniture on a large scale.
He eventually established SLOK Holding, a conglomerate (multi-industry company) that would consist of a number of successful companies, including the SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK United Kingdom Limited, SLOK United States Incorporated, SLOK Vegetable Oil, Aba, Ojialex Furniture Company, SLOK Paper Factory, Aba, SLOK Ghana, Guinea, Cotonou, Botswana, South Africa, Togo, Liberia, SLOK Korea, Adamawa Publishers Limited, SLOK Airlines, Supreme Oil Limited, First International Bank Limited and Sun Publishing Limited.
Political Career
In 1999, Orji Uzor Kalu was elected as the Governor of Abia State on People's Democratic Party (PDP). After completing his tenure, he contested again under the same political platform and won.In 2006, he founded the Progressive Peoples Alliance after leaving PDP. In 2007, He contested for the Presidential Seat under the PPA platform but lost to former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of the PDP.
The same year losing the presidential seat, Kalu got arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) on charges relating to corruption and his trial begun.
In 2011, he contested for the Abia North Senatorial candidate on the PPA platform but lost to Uche Chukwumerije of the PDP.
In 2012, he re-joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but had to return to PPA after a year to contest for the Senatorial Election.
In 2016, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party and became a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2019, he contested the Abia State Senatorial Election and won, defeating Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The same year after winning the senatorial seat, he got convicted and jailed 12 years for corruption. In 2020, he was released from prison by the judgement of the Supreme Court who ruled on Friday, 8 May that he was wrongfully convicted. The Supreme Court ordered a re-trial.
Personal Life
Orji Uzor Kalu got married to Mrs. Ifeoma Orji Uzor Kalu in December 1989 and the marriage is blessed with four children namely; Neya Lawrence Iyere (nee Orji Uzor Kalu), Michael Uzor Kalu, Olivia Uzor Kalu and Nicole Uzor Kalu.Awards and Recognition
Orji Uzor Kalu was the youngest Nigerian to receive the National Merit Award from President Ibrahim Babangida at the age of 1986.He has also been awarded the Humanitarian Award of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka's Humanitarian Club, the National Merit Award, the Volunteer Award of the International Association of Volunteers,the World Bank Leon Sullivan Award and the EU Special Award in Brussels.
Orji Uzor Kalu's Net Worth
Orji Uzor Kalu is one of the founder of Slok Holding and one of the richest politicians in Nigeria. His business interests span across banking, shipping, manufacturing, oil trading and the media.According to Forbes.com, he has an estimated net worth of $330 million.
Social Media Handles
You can connect with Orji Uzor Kalu on:Twitter @OUKtweets
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