The Chairman Senate Committee on Southeast Development Commission, SEDC, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Sunday, 02 March , 2025 paid a condolence visit to Chief Cletus Oragwa (Zenco) on the demise of their matriarch, Chief Mrs Margaret Oragwa who was laid to rest on Friday, 10th January, 2025 in Ukpo. Kalu who was unavoidably absent for the burial of Mrs Oragwa due to some exigencies, made out time to visit and condole with Zenco in Lagos.
The former Governor of Abia State, Kalu, while commiserating with Oragwa’s family, affirmed that Zenco was his creation right from a business team he created back in the days in Nnewi, the business hub of Anambra. Zenco rose from that team to become the business giant that he is today.
“Ego n’efefe, I want to stand up to add what Peter did not add. I wanted him to add that you buried your Mother in Ukpo and I wasn’t there. Many of you wouldn’t know that Zenco is my creation, that’s the truth. Where I started doing business in Nnewi, Zenco was a member of that team, and he grew from there to become Zenco.” – Kalu noted.
The Chairman of SLOK conglomerates, Kalu also said that had Zenco not worked hard via his team and risen through the ropes, he wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today in business. Kalu clarified he couldn’t come physically for the burial because of the 2025 budget that needed urgent attention for want of time. He stressed that legislative duty of the Senate budget scrutiny was expedient and sacrosanct to deliver a budget that will impact in the lives of the common man which is the mandate of Mr. President.
“If he didn’t work through my own team, he can’t be Zenco. God used that team which I created in Nnewi to make his way up and I am happy, like many other entrepreneurs. I came for condolence and I say may the soul of your Mother rest in peace. I promised I would be there at the burial, but I didn’t come because of the 2025 budget. The budget went so bad with our colleagues and we can’t leave the appropriation bill in the hands of those who might misplace the job. We had to sit down and do the job, so the President (GCFR) can give Nigerians a good budget and recall the economy of Nigeria to be in a sound position.” He emphasized
Commiserating with the Oragwa’s, Kalu prayed for God’s blessings upon Zenco. He also prayed that those who have served under him ,will become bigger than him, however, Kalu lamented that some of those who serve under him aren’t working hard to take up the mantle of wealth from them.
“So, accept my condolence, God will bless. Our prayer is for everybody who we train to be bigger than us, but the boys are not working so hard to be bigger than us. We are still colossal with our pockets, that’s the truth. We want the boys we train to be bigger than us, so we can stop working for me. They’re trying, but they have to work harder.” Kalu opined.
The former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Kalu, while speaking, stated that he is very proud of the accomplishments of Zenco, however, as his benefactor, Kalu advised him to have sleepless nights while engaging in international trade in China, America and Africa to make generational wealth.
“Zenco you need to have more sleepless nights, you are sleeping too much. You sleep only three hours a day, so you can contact China, America and Nigeria, so you can make more money, because you need to be bigger than us. You have done well, I am so proud of you.” Kalu said.
