The members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, on Friday presented a Patron Plaque Award to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Member representing the people of Bende Federal Constituency in the National Assembly for his continued and outstanding support to the association.
During the presentation of the plaque award, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, Promise Uzoma Okoro, noted that the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abians to be unveiled as patrons of the association on account of their unwavering contributions to the growth and progress of the union.
Okoro reiterated that the Deputy Speaker was formally unveiled as a Patron during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Umuahia North Local Government Council Hall on December 12, 2025, due to his numerous engagements, he was unavoidably absent to receive the award
“You will recall that during our 3rd Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2025, we unveiled our Patrons, and the Deputy Speaker was among them. Unfortunately, he was not available to attend the event, and that is why we are here today to formally present the award to him,” he said.
He further appreciated the Deputy Speaker for his instrumental role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State now has a physical office, describing the gesture as a landmark achievement for the association.
Also speaking, the Chairman of OMPAN’s Board of Trustees, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, noted that if there were a higher honour than the Patron Award, the association would have gladly conferred it on Rt. Hon. Kalu, describing him as the strongest supporter of OMPAN.
In his response, the Deputy Speaker expressed appreciation to the association for the recognition and pledged his continued support. He advised members to extend their blogs beyond politics to include economic development, humanitarian issues, transformational leadership and other sectors that positively impact society.
Rt. Hon. Kalu commended OMPAN for embracing the future of media by uniting under a common online platform and encouraged members to maintain professionalism and avoid pitching tent with politicians to enhance news storytelling and credibility in their practice.
He cautioned practitioners against allowing themselves to be used as tools to attack or undermine individuals or institutions, stressing the importance of responsible and ethical journalism.
