Why The ₦‎14 Million I Earn Monthly As Senator Is Not Enough- Orji Kalu

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that he earns 14 million monthly as a senator, but the money is not enough to take care of his overhead and other costs.

Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.

He said that the money was not enough to cover his expenses.

Kalu argued that most senators were doing well for their constituents, saying he would never fail his people.

“I am doing my best as a legislator for my constituency. I will never fail in my duty and I am sure most senators are doing their duties in their constituencies. I can never fail in Abia North Senatorial District.

“I earn N14 million in a month encompassing my salary, overhead and workers’ salaries. Let me be honest with you, do you know from this money I have to buy fuel to travel to my constituency? It’s not enough.

“When I was a governor, I voted for one term of six years. Remember Obasanjo said I was after him. That was the beginning of our quarrel. I went for one term of six years because of the cost of election, because of the cost of managing the economy. As a governor or a president, their eyes are on re-election. They are not even thinking about what people will gain, what people will do. They are only looking for reelection. The only way to solve this problem is to do a six-year one term.

“It will go a long way in boosting their performance because the people think they need to make money for re-election in my opinion.”

GBAJABIAMILA AND HIS BRAND OF LOYALTY

By Ibrahim Musa

Rt. Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila’s loyalty finds its perfect echo in a timeless biblical truth: a man cannot serve two masters. This dedication, driven by principle rather than personal gain, stands as a testament to his strong character. Inspired by the unyielding devotion of biblical figures, Gbajabiamila’s commitment shines brightly. His steadfast resolve and faithfulness make him a pillar of reliability.

In a world where loyalty is often tested, Gbajabiamila’s exemplary service sets a shining standard. Guided by faith and conviction, his selfless dedication inspires hope. The real Rt. Hon. Gbaja, as he is fondly called by close associates, can hardly be divorced from his loyalty to President Asiwaju.

While there exist several writings about the quintessential Rt. Hon. GBAJABIAMILA, writing about his loyalty to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is particularly difficult and different, as it is not easy to attribute the brand of loyalty – short of senile attachment, not sycophancy, and not foolishness.

The difficulty in conjuring Rt. Hon. Femi’s loyalty to writing stems from the fact that it is very hard to find and convey its abstract aura experience to reality. It defies diction and description because it is deeper than words, yet it cannot be kept silent.

For over three decades, Gbajamialia’s love and unwavering loyalty existed in a rarefied set apart from such infractions as desperation, self-seeking, selfishness, self-glorification, self-preservation, and ego branding. Tradition and reverence have surrounded loyalty with an aura of ‘specialness.’ It has been given distinction, which is still continually encapsulated by specialists in the act of language and psychology.

Unfortunately, the kind of loyalty epitomized by Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila defies all forms of specialist technical language, as it is inaccessible and off-putting, elitist and preserved. It is loyalty ingenue; Chief Femi perceives loyalty as an action from the heart. Although it may sound fey or simplistic, it represents the whole gamut of Gbajabiamil’s entire life, emotions, and experience; loyalty for him is an engagement.

Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila Olufemi is loyal without excuses. He believes that to be successful in life, the most critical ingredient is loyalty. To the political juggernaut, loyalty keeps all relationships going and is exhibited from the beginning to the end. In life and more aptly, in the political world, there is a clarion call for loyalty, total loyalty, absolute and unequivocal. Trust in the ability of another to lead in the right direction brings about the fulfilment of life’s purpose.

Born on June 25, 1962, to the family of Chief Lateef Gbajabiamila in Lagos State, Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila started his political life with his involvement in the election which saw Bill Campbell winning the Mayor of Atlanta. It can therefore be said that he started his political kindergarten from the founders and custodians of our democracy.

Upon Barrister Femi’s return to Nigeria in 2002, he joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD), to further ventilate his political aspirations. It was here that he met his protégé, mentor, and political associate, President Bola Ahmed Asiwaju Tinubu, GCFR, but then the Governor of Lagos State and leader of the Party. His dogged and unpretentious views and loyalty soon won the heart of Governor Bola Tinubu and also the minds and hearts of the people of Surulere 1, who pressured him into contesting for the post of House of Representatives representing Surulere 1 in 2003.

A philanthropist per excellent and defender of democracy, Chief Femi’s commitment to the electorates and loyalty to his Mentor saw his reelection thereafter for six consecutive terms without switching political parties. His firm stand and commitment to the Tinubu Political Ideology saw him and other lieutenants through the turbulent days of President Obasanjo’s Territorial acquisition for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

A vibrant, brilliant, and competent legislator, Chief Femi collaborated with others on President Tinubu’s team, consistently forming a formidable team. As core loyalists and ardent followers, wherever their masters went, they did. From Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC), then All Progressives Congress, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila never shirked nor deterred, neither was his loyalty questionable.

A true manager of human and material resources, through an unequal act of selflessness and conscientiousness executive-legislative harmony, he was able to both win the .hearts and minds of his colleagues, maintain the independence of the Legislative Arm, and remain the eyes and ears of President Tinubu. Even as a Minority Leader and later Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Gbajabiamila’s towering influence, growth, and political clout never diminished his loyalty, unflinching support, and dependence on his mentor but kept him on course, maintaining commitment to the political kingdom.

He strongly believes in the sacrifice Asiwaju has made for humanity and Nigeria and is therefore committed to following him through thick and thin. He cultivated Asiwaju’s friends and made his connections his pillar of strength and reliance, thereby remaining always an effective opposition, a chip off the old block, ideal characteristics of Bola Asiwaju Tinubu. He rejected honours and laurels that did not commit to the vision and ideals of Tinubu.

If Chief Gbajabiamila is a nationalist, it is because he learnt from Tinubu that it was the only way to Nigeria’s freedom. His passion for public service was inherited from his mentor. He drank and ate the Asiwaju’s spirit of nationalism and collective struggle. It is imbued, undisputable, irremovable, and unshaken, as his world revolves around it, undeterred and unmitigated. His unconditional loyalty and sacrifices are evident and unquestionably irrevocable.

Again, loyalty has paid. Surely loyalty has opened doors for him that arrogance will not have opened, bringing in love, reciprocal and mutual respect, progress, and the heart of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. On June 14, 2023, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila resumed duty as the Chief of Staff to the President.

A position of honour, trust, and reward of untiring and unequivocal thirty years of loyalty. Together, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila has built national bridges, defended the President, and ensured that humanity benefits from Asiwaju’s administration. Together, he asks questions, makes opinions known on issues of national development and social justice, and challenges authorities without a witch-hunt, all to improve the process of governance and ensure a better and more functional Nigeria.

Undoubtedly, Gbaja has proved unequivocally, in many deliberate, forthright, and demonstrated ways, that he loves Nigeria just like the President loves Nigeria, and that he is committed to building the nation and the President.

Musa wrote this piece from Suleja, Niger State.

Chief Allen Ifechukwu Onyeama: A Pillar in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry, Undeserving of Victimization

Chief Allen Ifechukwu Onyeama, the Chairman of AirPeace, stands as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished and hardworking entrepreneurs. His airline, AirPeace, has not only redifined the aviation landscape but has also provided immense relief to millions of Nigerians. With relentless determination and a vision to democratize air travel, Onyeama has grown AirPeace into a dominant force, one that competes directly with global airlines. Yet, despite his monumental contributions to Nigeria’s aviation sector, he is repeatedly subjected to scrutiny, victimization, and disparagement from foreign authorities and Western media. This ongoing attack on Onyeama is not just an attack on an individual but a blatant affront to the Nigerian aviation sector, and it calls for urgent action from all stakeholders.

At a time when the cost of air travel was skyrocketing, seemingly without bounds, it was AirPeace that stepped in to stabilize the market. Nigerians had been at the mercy of astronomical airfares, as foreign carriers monopolized major routes. The ripple effect was devastating, limiting the capacity of the average citizen to fly and stifling the growth of the nation’s aviation industry. However, AirPeace, under the astute leadership of Chief Onyeama, disrupted this narrative. By offering competitive pricing and expanding its domestic, regional and international reach, AirPeace provided Nigerians with an affordable and reliable alternative. The significance of this cannot be overstated—AirPeace became a symbol of healthy competition, lifting the industry and curbing exploitative practices by foreign carriers.

The success of AirPeace’s international routes, including the historic commencement of flights to London Gatwick, is a testament to its pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral air service agreements (BASA). The landmark push by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, to secure favorable BASA routes would not have had the same impact without the involvement of AirPeace. The airline’s presence on international routes—especially with major destinations like London—challenged long-standing monopolies and helped reduce fares that had been skyrocketing. This development not only empowered the Nigerian consumer but also marked a significant victory for local airlines in a fiercely competitive global market.

Onyeama’s AirPeace is paving the way for other Nigerian airlines to capitalize on more BASA routes, unlocking a new era of international connectivity and competition. His contribution has been nothing short of revolutionary, a fact that should be celebrated rather than subjected to unwarranted attacks.

The repeated victimization of Chief Onyeama by U.S. authorities and the Western press appears increasingly orchestrated, raising suspicions that it is part of a larger agenda to destabilize Nigeria’s aviation sector. It is no coincidence that as AirPeace rises and disrupts the status quo, Onyeama faces intensified scrutiny. This situation should raise alarms for all Nigerians, especially those within the aviation industry.

This is not just Onyeama’s fight—it is a fight for the survival and autonomy of Nigeria’s aviation sector. At a time when the nation is striving to assert its place on the global stage, the attack on AirPeace, the closest entity Nigeria has to a national flag carrier, is an attack on the industry’s collective future. Let no one be mistaken—Chief Allen Onyeama’s plight is a battle for the soul of Nigerian aviation, and the fallout will affect not just AirPeace but hundreds of its employees and the broader economy.

If the authorities, regulators, and stakeholders within the aviation sector fail to rally around Onyeama now, it will be a monumental loss for the country. It is a moment that demands unity, not division. The future of Nigerian aviation depends on the survival of its biggest players, and Chief Onyeama, as the Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), embodies the aspirations and ambitions of countless Nigerians. His downfall would be a blow not only to AirPeace but to every stakeholder who believes in the growth and competitiveness of the Nigerian aviation sector.

If I were a member of the AON, I would not sit idly while one of our most illustrious members faces such unfair persecution. The fact that Onyeama has built one of the largest employers in Nigeria’s aviation industry speaks volumes about his dedication, vision, and capability. Allowing him to fall victim to external forces is tantamount to delivering a slap to the entire aviation community.

Defending Our Own: A Matter of National Pride
We must ask ourselves: if we do not defend our own, who will? Chief Allen Onyeama’s contributions to Nigeria’s aviation industry should inspire pride, not condemnation. AirPeace is the pride of Nigeria’s aviation sector, representing our collective ambition to compete on the global stage. The airline is a symbol of our capacity to build and sustain world-class businesses that challenge global giants, providing critical services at home and abroad.

This is the time for the Nigerian government, aviation regulators, and all industry stakeholders to stand together. We must reject any agenda—whether foreign or domestic—that seeks to tarnish the achievements of one of our finest entrepreneurs. The aviation roadmap for Nigeria, painstakingly dreamt by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN and being charted by Chief Onyeama and others, must not be derailed by baseless accusations and targeted victimization.

The Time for Action Is Now
Chief Allen Onyeama and AirPeace represent the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry. His plight is not just his own but a call to action for all Nigerians. The stakes have never been higher, and this is a turning point in the history of Nigerian aviation. If we do not act now, we risk allowing foreign interests to dismantle the progress we have worked so hard to achieve.

The time to eschew bitterness and rally around our own is now. Let us not allow external forces to sow division, or as the saying goes, “smear our white clothes with blood.” We must come together in defense of Chief Onyeama and AirPeace. The survival of the Nigerian aviation industry depends on it.

Chike Stanley, a concerned aviation investor writes from Abuja.