Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Saturday renewed his commitment to sustain his food and cash distribution exercise to his Igbere constituents in Bende local government area of Abia North in Abia State.
The philanthropic endeavour of Kalu which is personally funded was initiated in 1986 prior to his sojourn into Politics designed to assist the locals celebrate the Yuletide season.. It involves the Abia-North Senator engaging and distributing food items and cash to locals within Igbere community.
In accordance with the 38 year old generosity gesture , the former Abia Governor brought smiles on the faces of his people as he shared amongst them 5000 bags of rice and cash support in commemoration of the Yuletide season.
Among the communities who benefited from Kalu who currently occupies the Abia North 10th Senate seat as were; Agbo, Eziama, Amakpo, Amaorji, Okafia, Ohumola, Amaiyi,Ibina-ukwu, Ama-ukwu, Ama-ofufe, Amankalu, Ibinanta, Umuisi,, all in Igbere, Bende LGA of Abia State.
Addressing the jubilant crowd in his native Igbere dialect, the former Senate Chief Whip reminded the people that the endeavour began in 1986 ,stressing that its sustenance proves that it has nothing to do with political interests but his love for his community.
Kalu explained that despite initially distributing food and cash to the community to celebrate the annual Igbere Cultural Festival, he won’t be deterred from continuing with his usual l practice of food distribution to celebrate the Yuletide season.
Kalu likened the thirteen (13) communities which comprise 30,000 people to live like “one big family” where no one is allowed to be left hungry.
Kalu sued for harmony amongst the locals;
“There’s no Christmas season that we’ve had that I failed to distribute food and cash , it is from my heart. During the cultural festival we distributed bags of rice and the sum of 300 hundred thousand naira. But that doesn’t mean I won’t give you these food items which is my usual practice.
“I urge you all to be your brother’s keeper, also beware that these Items are not for the traditional rulers, I have a separate package for them when I meet with them.
On his personal official social media handles, Kalu noted that the gesture will also support the food security programme of the presentat Federal Government administration as well as cushion the effects of the economic hardship in the country.
Torrents of gratitude were heaped on Senator Kalu by a Youth Leader of the Igbere community who spoke on behalf of the locals. The Youth Leader identified as Chimuanya Onwubiko who expressed that Orji Kalu is “God sent” , while commending his zeal to sustain the over 30 year old initiative.
He said; “We don’t take these generous gestures for granted, words can’t describe how happy we are with Senator Kalu for sustaining this Legacy , it’s a magnanimous show of Love beyond politics which shows that he truly loves us and we also love him.
“Aside from the infrastructure and empowerment he has brought to our community right from his days as Governor and now Senator, he has continued to add value to our Lives with his yearly Christmas and New Year gifts. We are very grateful and shall continue to stand by him no matter what”.