In the course of my engagement as a member of the House of Representatives, I have had the privilege of interacting with my colleagues. One such individual is the Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. He is such a character that you find interesting because of his line of thought.

He is passionate about Nigeria and that explains why when he stands up to introduce himself in plenary, Kalu expresses his joy, happiness and pride in being a Nigerian. Its very rare.

He is also passionate about his people. The Igbo race occupies a strategic place in his heart, as it does in the country. He tells all that cared to listen that his emergence as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives is a function of the home support he received. He owes the people the duty to ensure that issues that concern the Igbo race are given due attention.

I subscribe to the school of thought that postulates that every generation has one man who champions the cause of his people. Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu is one such. Prentice defined leadership as “the accomplishment of a goal through the direction of human assistants,” a successful leader can understand people’s motivations and enlist participation in a way that marries individual needs and interests with the group’s purpose. He called for democratic leadership that allows the people to learn and grow—without creating anarchy.

When the leader succeeds, it will be because he has learned two basic lessons: humans are complex and different. Human beings respond not only to the traditional carrot and stick but also to ambition, patriotism, love of the good and the beautiful, and many more dimensions and patterns of thought and feeling that make them human beings.

Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu fits the bill. His approach emphasized that the Igbos are reliable, friendly, and trustworthy and believe in one Nigeria, our democracy, regardless of what some might want to think. This much he has preached in the green chambers. His passion for his people and desire to ensure peace and unity in Igbo land impressed me.

In all ramifications, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has demonstrated that it’s a new era of Igbo leadership. Through his current position as the highest-ranking political office holder of Igbo extraction in Nigeria today, he is ready to champion this struggle for his people.

I am glad the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is leading this new charge that would benefit the Igbo race and Nigeria because we all must unite as Nigerians in our quest for sustainable growth and development. Wangari Maathai once stated that “ It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference.” Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has toed the path of honor, and with our support, he can achieve great things.

• Agbese is the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives.