K.U.K is gone but the question is who will wear the great shoe he has left behind as a Community leader, a Mentor, Philanthropist and a man that is close to his people at every level of life.
By Kingsley Ajike Ukariwe
My last encounter with Elder Dr. Kalu.Uke Kalu (KUK) was on 11th of October, 2023 around 11.30am. Elder called me on the phone and requested I should come to Enugu to see him, I hurriedly took off to Enugu the next day and he warmly welcomed me.
As if he knew he was departing the world any moment soon, he said he chose to invite me for a face to face discussion due to his frail nature and faint voice during phone conversation.
He passionately asked me about my political movements, I told him everything is going on well and he encouraged me to never lose hope and should continue to work harder in harmony with others especially Chief Awah Kalu (SAN) whom he called to thank him for his cooperation.
He said we should never be discouraged that during the first Republic he played a major role to facilitate the election of Mr. O.O Dike from Abia in Ania Ward, as Ohafia Local Government Chairman and now that the electoral zoning cycle has tilted towards Ania Ward again, it will only be wise that somebody from Isigwu Ohafia under Ania Ward is considered.
He said he is in communication with Prof Eme Uche and Chief Ume Kalu (SAN) to make sure that what is worth doing is done very well to recognize inclusiveness of all concerned in the Ward, he encouraged me to continue to push harder
Elder K.U. was so passionate about the situation of the Igbo race in Nigeria, he mentioned recent marginalization of the Igbo race in the Nigeria federal structure especially in the area of political administration of the Tinubu’s cabinet members, he talked about the neglect of Nnamdi Kalu compared to Sunday Igboho whom it is likely the Yoruba group might be discussing with President Tinubu to allow him to return to Nigeria.
Elder K.U complained bitterly about the situation of the Igbo race in today Nigeria and he advised that the Igbo nation should learn to play politics of inclusiveness and not play the ostrich and saboteurs against their own people
He was so concerned about the Politics of Abia state especially at the Local government level, that he told me we should work in harmony to achieve more for the good of the community.
I promised him that we will not relent in our resolve to reposition ourselves politically for the sake of our people and our community that it is my dream that he is alive to witness the emergence of an Isigwu Ohafia indigene as Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Abia State
We had a good time laughing and telling stories across many aspects of life in the society before I took my leave after about 2 hours with him, back to Aba.
After one week we had that discussion, I was preparing to go again to see him only to hear the sad news that he has passed away.
K.U.K is gone, a great Iroko Tree, but I am confident that there are so many K.U.K in our midst today, but the question is who will wear the great shoe he has left behind as a Community leader, a Corporate titan, a Mentor, Philanthropist and a man that is close to his people at every level of life.
May God grant his gentle soul and eternal rest.
