The Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu ( JOK) was today hosted to a surprise birthday celebration by the staff of the Ministry and Parastatals under the Ministry.
The Commissioner could not hide his bewilderment as the staff who included directors in the Ministry as well as the Heads of Parastatals in the state said that he was shocked by the action of his staff in giving him a surprise birthday celebration stating that he was a man not used to celebrating birthdays but always set it aside for praying and fasting hence the event was special and unexpected to him.
Chief Okiyi Kalu used the occasion to recount his humble beginning in life and reminded the workers that the best legacy anyone can leave was to ensure a better tomorrow in the place of work by observing those positive attributes that ensure a better future life and in nurturing successors.
According to him, “if you work in a place and it collapses after your exit, you have failed. It is the good work you do today that will ensure your future wellbeing and that of others who will work after you. The Bible made it clear that whatever your hands findeth to do you must do it very well to the glory of God. Please regard your individual tables as the most important office in the world and do your work honestly, fairly and with the fear of God. You are the Governor Ikpeazu that people see at your work place and you must serve well like him and satisfy God and your conscience that you worked diligently.”
He restated the commitment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu towards changing the narrative of the state for better, stating that the Governor has done so much in driving the development of Abia State and stressed the need for his easy landslide re-election for the completion of the good works the governor has done and also as a way of encouraging future leaders to work hard for Abians.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Elder Ifeanyi Agbai described the Commissioner as a man with a good heart who never dispenses wickedness stating that he has never regretted working with him.
Elder Agbai said that the staff decided to celebrate the commissioner because of the indelible marks he has made in the ministry and stated that the staff of the ministry would remain ever grateful to God and the governor for appointing Chief John Okiyi Kalu as a Commissioner for the Ministry..
Also speaking, the Director General of BCA, Sir Uchenna Dike said that the BCA has experienced the positive touch of the Commissioner in moving the Station forward and prayed for Gods sustenance in his service to God and mankind.
In his own Contribution, the Acting General Manager, Abia Newspapers, Brother Kingsley Ugorji commended the dynamism Chief Okiyi Kalu has bought to bear in information management of the state and likened him to water which does not struggle to flow with the unique way of presenting facts and figures in educating and enlightening the people about governance and state government programmes and policies.
Brother Ugorji assured the Commissioner that the staff of Abia Newspapers, BCA and Ministry would continue to uphold his hands to achieve much more strides to the glory of God and service to humanity.
Earlier in his short exhortation, entitled “Christ Ambassador in a market place”, the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Dr Onuoha Udeala said that an ambassador carries himself in a dignified manner and represent the image of his country positively, stating that Chief Okiyi Kalu has always exhibited the attributes of a good ambassador for Christ and described him as a man who, like David, always encouraged himself in the lord and have a compassionate heart that makes him to think more of the burdens of others more than that of his own.
The event featured special prayers for the Commissioner and cutting of cake.
