OMPAN Honours Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu with Patron Award Plaque

OMPAN Honours Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu with Patron Award Plaque

The Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, on Friday presented a Patron Award plaque to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in recognition of his outstanding support for the association.

Presenting the plaque, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, said the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abians as patrons of the association in appreciation of their consistent contributions to the growth and development of the body.

Chief Okoro recalled that Rt. Hon. Kalu was formally unveiled as a Patron during OMPAN’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on December 12, 2025, but was unavoidably absent at the event.

“During our 3rd Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2025, we unveiled our Patrons, and the Deputy Speaker was among them. Unfortunately, he could not attend the event, which is why we are here today to formally present the plaque,” he said

He further commended the Deputy Speaker for his pivotal role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State secured a physical office, describing the achievement as a major milestone in the association’s history.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OMPAN, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, described Rt. Hon. Kalu as the association’s strongest supporter, adding that if a higher honour than the Patron Award existed, it would have been conferred on him.

In his response, the Deputy Speaker expressed appreciation to OMPAN for the recognition, noting that he was deeply honoured by the gesture.

He encouraged members of the association to broaden their content focus beyond politics to include economic development, humanity, and other sectors capable of driving positive societal change.

Rt. Hon. Kalu also commended OMPAN for embracing the future of media through a unified online platform and assured the association of his continued support.

He, however, urged members to uphold professionalism and non-partisanship, cautioning against being used to attack or undermine individuals or institutions.