By Uche Aguoru
Like a seasoned product strategist unveiling a world-class brand, Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, took center stage at the European Parliament in Brussels, presenting Africa as the next frontier of innovation, investment, and opportunity.
Participating in the high-level European Union Visitor Program, facilitated by the Pan African Parliament, Kalu didn’t just attend, he delivered. With clarity, poise, and conviction, he made the case for a new kind of partnership between Europe and Africa, one anchored not on dependency, but on mutual prosperity through “near-shoring. Taking a quote from one of his declarations ”We have the raw materials, you have the technology. Do not take our raw materials and return finished goods to us. Come and set up these processing plants where the raw materials can be found,”
Kalu’s advocacy transcended politics it was diplomacy with substance. He proposed a recalibrated economic relationship that shifts from aid and rhetoric to investment and industrial synergy. Utabiri Bende, the pride of Abia urged Europe to stop spending billions treating the symptoms of migration, and instead address the root causes by investing in Africa’s industrial ecosystem. kalu was emphatic, bold and unpatronizing of the West “Let us build factories, not fences. Let us catalyze trade that adds value on both sides of the Mediterranean,” “The time for rhetoric is over. We need concrete action that reflects a true partnership of equals.” he stated
As Chairman of the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee of the Pan African Parliament, Kalu led the African delegation with distinction, championing the concept of value chain localization. His message was clear, strategic and simple but profoundly packaged:
Africa doesn’t need a handout, it needs a handshake.
When he spoke on migration, he highlighted how post-colonial European labour needs shaped imbalanced migration patterns and called for a new era where Africa’s greatest export is not its people, but the products, services, and innovation they generate.
With compelling data, grounded vision, and unmatched oratory, Kalu positioned Africa not as a continent in need, but as a continent in waiting, ready for strategic investment, sustainable trade, and global respect.“Kalu’s oratorial prowess reminded me of the days of Zik of Africa, the great Kwame Nkrumah and other great Africans during their days of advocacy and agitation for an independent Africa. highlighting the African perspective to global relationship as a perspective of ambition, of partnership, and of a shared destiny.”
Described as a distinguished leader and Opinion former, by the Vice President of the European Union Ms. Kallas and the vice president of the European Union parliament Ms Sabine Verheyene, Benjamin Kalu’s presentation in Brussels didn’t just speak to the room, it echoed across continents. His delivery was a reminder that Africa’s future must be defined by Africans themselves, and he is boldly leading that charge.
Ben of Bende is a Global Asset. A Generational Trailblazer. A True Messenger of Africa’s Promise.
You are indeed a global brand and you have shown that the continent is more than ready.
Thank you, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for marketing the Nigerian and African brand with excellence.
Abia needs you, Nigeria needs more of you, Africa is proud of you.
Aguoru
Is a public Affairs Analyst
