The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has been named recipient of three major national awards in 2026 in recognition of his outstanding legislative service and contributions to national development.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the recognitions came from three separate media organisations, The Sun, Daily Times of Nigeria, and New Telegraph, each honouring different aspects of Kalu’s legislative career. The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State at the National Assembly, also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, The Sun Newspapers, in a letter dated June 8, 2026, announced Kalu as winner of The Sun Legislative Icon Award 2026. The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the paper, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, explained that the Board of Editors arrived at the decision after a thorough selection process.
“We write to notify you that the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited, after a rigorous selection process, has picked you as winner of The Sun Legislative Icon Award 2026,” Ukeh said. CDA News Nigeria gathered that the award will be formally presented to the Deputy Speaker on Friday, November 13, 2026, at The Sun Awards event in Lagos.
In a similar vein, Folio Media Group, publisher of the Daily Times of Nigeria, selected Kalu for the DTN@100 Lawmaker of the Year award in the House of Representatives category. The organisation’s Chairman, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, disclosed that the Deputy Speaker emerged winner after an extensive nomination and public voting exercise.
“Following an extensive nomination and public voting process, you received the highest number of votes in this award category. The Times Heroes Award Council and other key stakeholders subsequently confirmed your selection in recognition of your leadership, public service and contribution to national development,” Anosike stated, adding that honourees would be featured in the 700-page Nigerian Grand Book. The public conferment ceremony is scheduled to hold in Abuja on September 3, 2026.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited also nominated Kalu for its maiden Special Recognition, Outstanding Legislative Work award, a distinct honour separate from the regular New Telegraph Award Night, which the organisation says will now hold every four years. In a letter dated July 31, 2026, the paper’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Ayodele Aminu, cited Kalu’s representation of Bende Federal Constituency since 2019, his tenure as House Spokesman in the 9th Assembly, and his current position as Deputy Speaker in the 10th Assembly as grounds for the honour.
The letter further highlighted Kalu’s chairmanship of the House Committee on Constitution Review and Amendment, his support for legislation including the Acts Authentication Act and the Nigerian Communications Act, and his initiation of the Peace in South-East Project (PISE-P), an initiative promoting non-kinetic approaches to tackling insecurity in the South East region.
“We have diligently followed your activities in the House of Representatives, since you were first elected in 2019. We have no doubt that you have represented the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State effectively, from being the House Spokesman in your 1st term to emerging as Deputy Speaker under the 10th Assembly,” the letter read in part, also commending his role in fostering harmony between the House, the Senate, and the Executive arm of government. The award presentation is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 4, 2026, in Lagos.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the triple recognition adds to a growing list of honours for the Deputy Speaker, whose legislative career spans his election in 2019 through his elevation to House Spokesman in the 9th Assembly and subsequently Deputy Speaker in the 10th Assembly.
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