16/12/2025
STAR PAPER MILL!!!
ACIU AWARDS 2025-UNVEILING OUR HONOREES
LATE CHIEF NNANNA KALU OKO, OFR, (The Agbawo-Dike Izu I of Abiriba)
Late Chief Nnanna Kalu Oko, OFR, the Agbawo-Dike Izu I of Abiriba, was one of the most outstanding and respected figures in the history of Abiriba Kingdom and Abia State at large. Renowned for his integrity, vision, and selfless service, his name remained untainted across private, business, and political life.
Born in 1922 into the family of Late Chief Kalu Oko of Nde Agwu Royal Compound, Umuechukwu, Amogudu, Abiriba, he underwent the traditional Abiriba apprenticeship system (ikuta nwantauzu) under Chief Onwuka Ude Ejiama (Onwuka Nma). After completing his apprenticeship, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of Abiribaβs most successful and internationally connected businessmen.
A philanthropist, mentor, employer of labour, peace-maker, and community leader, Chief Nnanna Kalu trained many successful apprentices, including Chief Ogbogu Kalu (AMSCO), Late Chief Iregbu Eruka (UNICO), and Late Ukoha Obasi (LONESTAR). He served as President-General of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) and was widely regarded as a role model.
His business ventures spanned several Nigerian cities. In Umuahia, he co-founded Abiriba Merchant Company (AMC) and later Okafor & Nnanna Transport Company, whose fleet operated before the civil war. After the war, he established Business Express Transport, later relocating to Calabar, where he founded N. Kalu & Brothers Ltd, an import-export company dealing mainly in used clothing and textiles. He later moved to Aba, expanded into other imports such as stockfish, acquired landed properties, and achieved remarkable business success.
Demonstrating visionary leadership, he ventured into manufacturing by establishing STAR PAPER MILL Ltd at Umungasi, Aba, producing tissue paper, exercise books, and jotters.
To support this factory, he set up a waste paper recycling subsidiary in Owerrinta, providing employment and promoting local sourcing of raw materials.
In community development, he single-handedly surveyed and pegged the entire Okai Amogudu farmland after the Amogudu/Item dispute. Most notably, he built, fully equipped, furnished, and donated the ultra-modern St. Andrewβs Presbyterian Church, Amogudu Parish, which was handed over to the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria on 13 December 1985βa first within the East Synod. He also led his age grade in building the Enachioken Palace and contributed to numerous other developmental projects in Abiriba.
Politically, Chief Nnanna Kalu served in the Aba Municipal Council, was elected into the Eastern Region House of Assembly (NCPC), and held other government positions. In recognition of his service, he received the national honour Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). On 26 November 1983, he was conferred with the traditional title Agbawo-Dike Izu I of Abiriba by HRM Eze U.U. Ukiwo.
Chief Nnanna Kalu Oko, OFR, passed on in December 1992 and was laid to rest in March 1993 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, enterprise, faith, and unwavering service to humanity.
Get to know more at the event, on 25th December, 2025.
Proudly sponsored by: Ahudiya Nnem Football Club, and the Bloom Foundation.
Organized by: ACIU WORLDWIDE
