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Tag: Peter Mbah

Mbah relocates popular Coal Camp Spare Parts Market to 9th Mile

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has signed an Executive Order relocating the current spare parts and allied trades markets as well as all other related industrial and commercial activities in the Coal Camp and other neighbourhoods within the Enugu Capital Territory to the site of the new International Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park.

The new site traverses Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas along the Enugu-Onitsha Road of the state.

The Executive Order is entitled the Designation and Establishment of the Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Traders Park, Nsude, Udi LGA and Ogwofia Owa in Ezeagu LGA and the Relocation of the Coal Camp Neighbourhood and other Neighbourhoods in the Enugu Capital Territory to the New Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park Site.

Speaking at a brief signing ceremony witnessed by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, and leaders of Enugu spare parts dealers at the Government House on Friday, Mbah assured that the errors and challenges presented by the Coal Camp Spare Parts Market were being effectively addressed in the new one.

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“This new market is actually a purpose-built vehicle because it is designed for the market in the true sense of the word and with all the supporting facilities. We have taken into account all the safety codes that are required to have an international market.

“As you may already be aware, the construction is ongoing. We are aggressively opening up the roads and also the building itself. That construction has commenced.

“Our hope is that in the next few months, we are going to see the movement of you all from the current location to an international market where we have provided all the services. There is going to be a clinic and fire service there. There is going to be a truck park.

“All the errors, all the challenges and the problems we have in the existing market will all be addressed in the new market.

“We have also made sure that you do not live very far from your market. We have residences around the market. It is an ideal neighbourhood concept where you can live comfortably within your neighbourhood and still do your trading and businesses comfortably without traveling far to get things done,” the governor said.

In his remarks, the President of Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Michael Nomeh, hailed the governor for keeping to his campaign promise after decades of disappointments endured by the traders.

“We are so excited about the relocation of the Enugu motor spare parts dealers to the permanent site, which is of international standard.

“We thank the governor for the campaign promise that he has fulfilled. Since the inception of democracy in 1999 to date, there have been so many promises to our people that they will relocate us to the international market. But none of them has kept to their promises. That is why we appreciate the governor for keeping the campaign promises less than two years in office. He is a governor who does exactly what he says he would do,” Nomeh stated.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described both the move and the location of the new site as strategic, noting that the traders would be able to own shops, unlike the present Coal Campsite where most of them rented shops.

He explained that the Enugu State Government is committed to the establishment of a commercial hub that will be a self-contained community with the full compliments of the various ancillary and supporting land uses that will create a comprehensive multi-functional commercial and industrial ecosystem in the emerging 9th Miles business corridor of the State.

“This move is a strategic one aimed at boosting our state economy in our drive to a $30bn GDP economy.

“If you know the location of the new place, it is so strategic. You cannot go from the Middle Belt or South South or Cross River or even from Cameroon to Onitsha without passing through there.

“The government is not building to make profit, but for the traders to move to a well-organised and safe environment for trading and living.

“The place is designed to have the commercial sections with shops of different categories, warehouses, workshops, ample parking spaces, water, power, and other utilities facilities.

“There are also residential areas. There are also going to be smart schools, the primary healthcare centers, the fire service station, Police station, the recreational park, and a football pitch. It is a modern place that everybody will be proud to live in. It is built for modern spare parts and allied trade professionals,” he added.

March 16, 2025
Enugu gov honoured by Ekiti varsity for radical educational reforms

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has been conferred with the prestigious Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) degree by the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ekiti State.

The award recognizes his exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing quality education in Nigeria.

Receiving the honorary degree at the maiden convocation ceremony of the university in Ikere-Ekiti over the weekend, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to transforming the education sector in Enugu State.

He emphasised a shift towards innovative and experiential learning as a sustainable model for development.

The governor acknowledged that while the impact of educational investments takes time to manifest, his government remains committed to equipping children and youth with the skills needed to compete globally.

“This award is a reminder that there is no greater honor than service. It is an inspiration to recommit to governance values that prioritize education as the best legacy for the next generation,” Mbah stated.

With over 33% of Enugu State’s annual budget allocated to education, Mbah highlighted his administration’s ongoing construction of 260 Smart Green Schools to foster problem-solving skills over rote learning.

The honorary doctorate underscores Mbah’s contributions to education reform, positioning Enugu State as a model for innovative learning in Nigeria.

While stressing the university’s motto, “Learning for Self-Reliance,” Mbah said this should resonate with all levels of government nationwide in the face of shrinking international funding by some world economies, saying it was time to press the inventive button as a nation.

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He noted that despite the BOUESTI being at its formative years, the university had made giant strides by nurturing an environment that was conducive to learning.

“This clearly underscores the university’s firm belief in the primacy of human capital development. Although established in 2020, it is heartwarming that this university is emerging as a formidable platform for science and technological renaissance.”

Commending the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his enduring reforms and sustained investment in education, Mbah charged the graduands to wear the toga of the university with pride and dignity, urging them not to severe links with the institution as alumni.

While conferring the highest degree on the governor, the university’s Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the degree was strictly meant for lawyers of distinction, which Mbah had clinched by merit.

He described the governor as a rare breed in the entrepreneurial space, who was presently disrupting the Nigerian leadership space through his innovative style of governance.

March 9, 2025
‘How Enugu’s Witness Support Fund is aiding quick justice delivery’

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Udeh has narrated how the reforms initiated by Governor Peter Mbah administration are aiding quick dispensation of justice in the state.

Udeh said the establishment of the Witness Support Fund approved by Governor Mbah, had become a game changer quickening justice delivery especially as it affects criminal case files.

The commissioner, who spoke with newsmen in his office in Enugu, disclosed that one of the things he did on assumption of office was to take up the self imposed target of ensuring that any criminal case file that comes for legal opinion was treated within 10 days.

“And when we say 10 days, the truth is that the office of the AG is inundated with criminal case flies. We have up to 100 criminal case flies coming in every month. You also know that criminal prosecution is not the only work we do here. So, in addition to those we have going on in courts, we receive a minimum of 100 case files every month.

“The rate of crime may not have been increasing, but, the rate of apprehending offenders have increased. This means you have more criminal case flies. You know we have CCTVs across the state. So, it’s easier now to apprehend and investigate and prosecute offenders more than we had before.

“So, the more criminals apprehended, the more criminal case files than we receive on daily basis to the office of the AG for prosecution.

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“So, notwithstanding the enormity and volume of work we do, we have devised a means of treating criminal case flies expeditiously, to the effect that what we have cut down the days used in treating criminal case flies up to 70 per cent. This means that if there’s a prima facie case against the suspect, the person will be charged to court so that he or she can know his or her fate as soon as possible. In the absence of this, we discharge. It is the police that investigate, not us.

“One of the things we do here is that we have motivated our staff in various ways by giving reward for good work and it’s having a positive effect in production and productivity.

“The governor approved what is called Witness Support Fund. This is money earmarked for calling witnesses especially in criminal cases. Before now, inability to get witnesses was one of the things that stalled the quick dispensation of justice before the present administration came on board.

“You know that criminal prosecution is done by the state. You know that the government is not the victim or complainant or even nominal complainant.When people have problems, they complain to the police and the police give back to us to handle. Now, we call witnesses. Each criminal case file is given to a prosecutor, a law officer in the ministry of justice. Before now, money was not assigned to them for calling witnesses.

“We don’t pay them(witnesses), but rather provide them with logistics. If you’re calling a pathologist to give expert evidence as a witness, they wouldn’t agree to come until you give them money for logistics.

“Also, if you are calling a police officer to testify in court, you have to give him money for transportation because it is a separate work from their regular official duties. So, sometimes, they’re called outside their jurisdiction and he/she has to come.

“When we came, we discovered that prosecutors were not keen as some were seeking posting to other departments because of paying witnesses from their personal salaries. So, when we came, we said it has to stop.

“So, when that was presented to me, I discussed it with the governor, who approved some money in line with the provision of the law, that certain funds will have to be provided, where anyone coming as a witness will be supported with a token for logistics. So, prosecutors now know that they won’t have to spend their salaries in calling witnesses while prosecuting cases in courts. With this innovation, cases are now moving faster in courts because of that provision,” the commissioner said.

He disclosed that to ensure that even civil cases were quickly dispensed with in the courts, the governor also engaged a tech firm that is now digitalising justice administration in Enugu State.

“This means that wherever you are in any part of the world, you can attend a court hearing virtually in Enugu, if you notify the court. So, with that device, in place, you can attend virtual hearing and we’re also working on filing processes electronically or online so that even if you travel and need to file a process, you don’t have to wait until you return before you file it. That’s what we’re working on now, digitizing court processes and even proceedings so that what will take days to handle will be handled within few hours,” he said.

To protect real estate investors and developers from fraudulent dealings by individuals and communities, Udeh disclosed that the state enacted the anti-land grabbing law, known a Property Protection Law(PPL), which criminalises fraudulent dealings in land and people using force to enter other people’s lands.

On the government’s efforts in decongesting the prisons, the commissioner said the essence of ensuring speedy trials for criminal cases was to reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates.

“But because of the number of criminal case flies that are coming up, it also increases the number of awaiting trials in the prison notwithstanding the fact that as much as we can to deal with it because the capacity of the correctional centres has been far exceeded by the population of our society and the number if suspects. This is why the government is looking at how to expand the capacity of the correctional facilities in Enugu.

“On jail delivery, the controller of prisons, Enugu, is also a member of the advisory council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which I chair. All of us have the approval of the governor to work on jail delivery. It means the court will sit within the prison and cases that need to be dealt with there, would be treated with dispatch. These are ways of decongesting the prisons which we’re embarking on.

“Last December, Governor Mbah also granted pardon to some deserving inmates via the Prerogative of Mercy to set some number of inmates free.

“These are some of the efforts we’re making to decongest the prisons in an orderly, conscientiously, sensitive manner so that we don’t discharge wrong convicts that may come back to the society to haunt us,” he said.

Udeh announced that the Supreme Court has granted Enugu State full ownership of the Hotel Presidential, which, according to him, ended all litigations which had previously encumbered revamping of the hotel.

He said, “Criminals were using Hotel Presidential as hideout because it was an abandoned massive structure, no security there, so criminals were having a field day there.

“The court ordered us to go there and put the place in order and pursue criminals out, because it has become a security threat. So we did that and started putting things in order”.

February 25, 2025
Mbah hails Army’s efforts in Enugu’s peaceful environment

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has hailed the sacrificial efforts of the men and officers of the Nigerian army in helping the state attain its current relatively peaceful and secure environment.

Mbah also called for improved synergy among all security agents in the state to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, promising his administration’s maximum support to ensure success in all their efforts to ward off any threat to the security of the state and country.

The governor said this when the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu.

Mbah said it is difficult to have development without security, adding that his administration identified the security challenge in Enugu and tackled it headlong.

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“We would not have attained the relatively peaceful and secure environment we have in Enugu today without the support and unwavering commitment and devotion to duty by your men,” he told Mr Olatoye.

While disclosing that the Enugu government and the Nigerian Army had a robust, fruitful and productive relationship, Mbah said, “It is absolutely difficult to talk of development without security.”

He said his administration committed to exponentially growing the state economy and eradicating poverty, explaining that the idea would remain in vain without security.

“That is why, in the early hours of our administration, we identified security challenges as the biggest elephant in the room, and we are in a hurry to chase that elephant out of the room.

“We would not have attained the relatively peaceful and secure environment we have in Enugu today without the support and unwavering commitment and devotion to duty by your men,” he said.

He assured the army leadership in Enugu that the state would continue to support the military by providing them with all the necessary logistics to bring criminality to an end.

“We have zero tolerance to criminality and this is demonstrated given the level of investment we made in security. Given your good experiences in operations, I do not doubt in my mind that this relationship will be enhanced under your watch,” Mbah said.

Major Gen. Olatoye, who doubles as the commander of the Joint Task Force (Operation Udoka) in the Southeast, said it was his responsibility in the region and Cross River to upscale a peaceful environment for socio-economic activities.

February 12, 2025
Mbah woos multinationals

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has assured prospective multinational corporations that his administration would work with them every step of the way to not only create an enabling business environment, but to also de-risk investment flow and ensure bountiful return on investment (RoI).

Mbah listed abundant opportunities and incentives in various sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, mineral resources, logistics, aviation, tourism, real estate, mineral resources, ICT, among others.

He gave the assurances during the Second Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, saying the state had curated many projects to bankability.

Speaking at the Roundtable, which attracted over 90 existing multinational corporations in Nigeria, the governor reiterated his administration’s ambition to grow the state’s economy sevenfold to $30 billion over the next six years, hence the deliberate effort to make it the premier destination for investment, business, tourism and living.

He also maintained that the growth Nigeria seeks as a country would happen from the peripheral or sub-nationals, hence the massive steps by the State Government to build infrastructure, ensure security of lives and property, and enhance Ease of Doing Business.

“For us in Enugu, we know that the investment will not happen because we wish it to happen. We recognise the fact that we need to work closely with prospective investors to see how we can help them to not just create the enabling environment, but also de-risk the investment flow.

“We curated quite a number of projects across different sectors to bankability. So, if you are coming to Enugu, we are going to be presenting you with opportunities that you may not need to spend so much time doing detailed feasibility because we have done full feasibility of most of these projects and you can take these feasibilities to bank.

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“We have also been able to invest hugely in infrastructure because given my business background, I understand that businesses are not charity; they are not Father Christmas. They are interested in returns on investment.

“We have had quite a number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) that have been coming to Enugu in the last one year and the way we have made this work is largely by getting involved with them to understand fully how we can work with them to de-risk investment flow.

“In some cases, we provide the offtake that they need to make that entry and we have had quite a number of companies that have come into Enugu as their first entry point to the country. And so my job here today is to encourage all of you to understand that Enugu is open for business. It is in our DNA to work with you to ensure that we work out a structure that makes sense for the business,” he stated.

Mbah further listed other incentives such as the existence of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority as a one-stop shop for prospective investors, existence of federal regulatory agencies in Enugu, and the launch of Enugu State Geographic Information System Services, ENGIS, which had reduced Certificates of Occupancy (Cof O) processing time to 72 hours.

“We will take up your application and ensure that you get all the necessary licenses and approvals that you need.

“When it comes to construction permits and of course procuring your title documents, if you are going to be interested in land, that also happens seamlessly. In Enugu, applying for your title document and getting issued your title document takes 72 hours through our Enugu State Geographic Information Systems.

“Some weeks ago, I also signed the Land Use Regulations, which enables an applicant to monitor and benchmark the service provider based on the number of hours,” Mbah added.

January 31, 2025
Enugu okays landmark climate, off-grid electricity policies

Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, has approved Enugu State Climate Policy and Action Plan (ESCPAP), making it the first subnational government in Nigeria to adopt a long-term climate strategy that incorporates emissions modelling, micro-energy audits and extensive stakeholder engagement.

The State Executive Council has also okayed Enugu State Off-Grid Electrification (OGE) Policy Strategy Plan, to expand electricity access to unserved and underserved communities, leveraging distributed renewable energy solutions to drive economic growth and improve public service delivery.

The approvals were announced by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting at the weekend.

Briefing reporters alongside the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu and Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah, Onyia said ESCPAP underscored Mbah administration’s commitment to balancing economic transformation, environmental sustainability, innovation, inclusiveness and climate resilience, ensuring key sectors such as agriculture, energy and natural resources were climate-resilient and future-proofed against environmental challenges.

The ESCPAP, according to the government, represents a pioneering effort to facilitate clean energy development, stimulate job creation and foster green technology advancements.

“We do recall that Enugu State had started this policy design in the past eight months, and finally, after the surveys and after crunching the numbers from various instruments we used, we have come up with a policy and action plan.

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“This action plan will help us enhance economic growth. This is very important for us in job creation, and we are looking at a situation where we facilitate the creation of 792,000 jobs in renewable energy, waste management and reforestation by 2060,” he said.

In terms of sustainable economic growth, ESCPAP is projected to drive a 25-fold increase in the state’s GDP by 2060 through investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and green technology.

In terms of energy transition, the state, going by the policy, targets 80 per cent renewable energy usage by 2060, with a 60 per cent emissions reduction in the transport sector and a robust afforestation plan to enhance carbon sequestration.

The comprehensive policy and action plan includes the setting up of an ESCPAP Implementation Committee, comprising representatives from the government, private sector, civil society and international donor organisations, to ensure effective execution of the policy’s goals as well as the introduction of a climate change curriculum in Enugu’s Smart Green Schools, to equip the future generations with knowledge and skills in green innovation.

The Climate Policy and Action Plan, he said ,aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and global climate agreements, thus positioning the state as a key player in the nation’s journey toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.

Also, highlighting the state’s Off-Grid Policy, Onyia said: “This policy is designed to complement the Enugu State Electrification Policy that was passed in 2023 Enugu Electricity Law.

“This provides a framework that will catalyse private sector investment, enhance socio-economic growth and improve the overall quality of life of Enugu people.

January 27, 2025
Why is Mbah admired?

President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Enugu State a couple of weeks ago was unique; unique because since he assumed office 19 months ago, he has not yet formed the habit of visiting states. It is also possible that most of the states have not done big projects in the last 19 months that could be of presidential excitement to warrant their inviting the president for commissioning. The Enugu trip of the president is also unique because Enugu State is run by an opposition party, the PDP. At the national level, the PDP has made it an interesting duty to bad-mouth the ruling party, APC, on every imaginable issue, big or small, fair or foul as its opposition strategy. It might be either its own view of how an opposition party must conduct its affairs or it might be a way of diverting public attention from its own housekeeping problems or both.

But it is interesting that the Enugu State government decided to invite the president to come and commission projects in Enugu. It is even more interesting that the president graciously decided to honour the invitation from a government that is run by an opposing party. The invitation and its acceptance demonstrate maturity and civilised behaviour from both sides. That is how politics without bitterness should be played.

During the visit, Tinubu commissioned some urban roads, many schools, 150 Artificial Intelligence-embedded patrol vehicles, some primary health centres and an international conference centre. At the end of the commissioning Tinubu who was decked, along with Governor Peter Mbah in a flowery Igbo attire complete with a red cap, made a moving speech to a hall that was filled to almost over-flowing. He praised Mbah for his achievements and his visionary leadership. He said that Mbah was his friend and that he liked him even if he did not care about his party, the PDP. At the end of his speech he received an applause, not a plastic applause, a real applause and a standing ovation.

His remarks must have been in accord with the mood and murmurings of the people of the state for the achievements that their governor had made within 19 months of stepping into office. As he spoke, the two of them seemed to be joined at the hip. They seemed to share the vision for a better country, a rejuvenation of what Nigeria was in the 70s when we had the oil boom and didn’t seem to know what to do with the money. That is when we had the cement armada, then the rice armada. Today, we are dreaming about the possibility of a gold standard performance in the states and the centre.

Tinubu’s speech was a strong validation and commendation of Mbah’s performance particularly because both the president and the governor come from different religions, different parties, different states and different ethnic groups. The whole atmosphere was a reflection of admirable bi-partisanship and comradeship.

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In the last 19 months Mbah has shown evidence of visionary leadership. He has facilitated and presented 20 bills to the state House of Assembly, 15 of which have been passed into law. He has promulgated five Executive Orders and has turned the state into a veritable construction site, with machines humming daily as the landscape is receiving a face-lift.

The government is planning to build 260 smart schools in the state’s 260 wards. Its budget for education is very impressive at 33% which is 7% higher than the UNESCO prescription of 26%. This is evidence that the governor regards education as the catalyst for development, the cure-all for poverty and illiteracy and the equipment for lifting the living standard of the people.

The government has created specialized courts such as Small Claims Courts whereby claims of one million naira or less can be settled so as to reduce congestion in the regular courts. The other courts created are Probate & Family Courts, Land Courts and Commercial Courts for the resolution of land, contract and commercial cases. The government has also reactivated its dormant Citizens Rights & Mediation Centre as an alternative dispute resolution centre. This will take care of long delays in the regular courts as well as costly litigation especially for the rural populace. This facility will lead to the easy and peaceful resolution of most of the cases. In the Ministry of Justice, the government has established a Witness Support Unit. This unit is expected to take care of the counselling, protection and logistical needs of all witnesses so as to improve justice delivery which will ultimately have a multiplier effect on the security of lives and property.

The success so far recorded by Mbah has painted a canvass of possibilities in the Nigerian governance universe. All Nigerian politicians are in the pageant of promises whenever it is time for elections. When the elections are lost and won, the people are thrown into the abyss of grief because the bulk of the promises are forgotten. They are forgotten because they were not made sincerely in the first place. Or they were made without adequate knowledge of the situation on the ground. Mbah’s case is different. Apart from his good education – two Masters degrees and a couple of diplomas from reputable institutions – he worked in both the public and private sectors where he gathered considerable experience. He was a Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development under Dr Chimaroke Nnamani. He was also a member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Finance and Investment Company. In fact, Newswatch magazine profiled him at the turn of the 21st century as one of the 10 most outstanding state commissioners in the country.

During the last governorship election in the country, a prominent citizen of Enugu State told me that Enugu State has been in a holding period for a number of years now. He feels that the state has lost its lustre and that most of the facilities that made it tick have vanished and are in need of revival. He said that the only candidate he thought could do it was in the PDP not in his own party, APC. He said the PDP man was the person he would back because he had the credentials that will produce a good governor for the state. He said that he didn’t mind taking the risk of pushing for Mbah who belonged to a different party from his APC. And when Mbah won he said that day was his happiest day on earth. With the achievements made so far by Mbah within 19 months it is easy to see why my friend backed him and kept saying “He is the right man for the job.”

Success in governance does not come by happenstance. It comes through education, experience and commitment not only by the politician and his party but also by his followers and by the public generally. If you vote a person into power you must support him to do the heavy lifting, to do the right thing and to keep his eyes on the ball so that he does not go astray.

Mbah has earned the blaze and dazzle of popularity from the people of Enugu State because he has exhibited exemplary, and visionary leadership which is giving a new lease of life now to Enugu, a state that was the envy of many states in the past before it lost its lustre.

January 21, 2025
Tinubu’s stamp on Peter Mbah

By Nnamani Arinze Darlington

On 4th January, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a one-day official visit to Enugu State where he performed the inauguration of numerous impactful infrastructural projects built by the Dr. Peter Mbah Administration in the state. Projects commissioned include the International Conference Centre, 90 completed urban roads; 30 completed Smart Green Schools out of 260 under construction; an avant-garde Command and Control Centre along with 150 AI-embedded patrol vehicles for efficient security service to the people of Enugu; and 60 completed and equipped Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across 260 electoral Wards in Enugu.

The Mbah Administration has, within 19 months, awarded the construction of 260 smart schools in the state’s 260 wards. This alone is an investment in education in each ward to the tune of about about N1.2 billion, meaning that a total sum of N312 billion has been awarded for the construction smart schools.

It is recalled that the state went further to allocate over 30 per cent of its N521.5bn 2024 budget and over 33 per cent of the N971bn 2025 budget to education. Enugu, under Mbah, has therefore consecutively made news as the highest in Nigeria in terms of education to budget ratio, beating the UNESCO recommendation of 15-20 percent of the public annual budget to fund education. This is rare in Africa, let alone Nigeria.

Each Smart Green School is a state-of-the-art structure, fully equipped with modern experiential tools with which the pupils from age 4 to JSS3, are taught robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, mechatronics, modern ICT and vocational skills, science and technology, mathematics, and other aspects of cognitive education. This will mould the Enugu child into a person of high modern and technological intellect to compete effectively in the global market. According to Mbah, the doors of the remaining 200 Smart Green Schools will be open to every child in Enugu free of charge by September 2025.

Mbah’s giant strides and deliverables in education, infrastructure, healthcare sector, transportation, security, tourism, and transportation have pontificated the true meaning of the dividends of democracy for the people of Enugu State.

When Governor Mbah was campaigning, he conspicuously stated that he would raise the state’s GDP from the current $4.4bn to $30bn economy in the next four to eight years. He equally promised to make Enugu one of the top three economies in Nigeria and the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and living. Many naysayers said it would not be achievable because that was too audacious.

But the administration has continued to attract and seal one investment after the other, both local and foreign. It sealed a N40bn deal with Jelfah Group in 2024 towards the revitalisation of the moribund Sunrise Flour Mills, N100bn deal with Pragmatic Palms Limited (of the Diamond Stripes Group) for the ongoing revitalisation of the Enugu’s United Palm Products Ltd. Not leaving out the deal with a Danish company known as ODK tractors, which target to assemble 1,200tractors in Enugu before the end of 2025. In November last year, the government signed a $100m Final Investment Decision (FID) document with Austrian investors under the auspices of Wande NEXUS, who are investing in the downstream of the water sector to hasten and sustain government’s effort to take water to the last man in the state. Only a few days ago, the administration entered into a partnership with the Landmark Africa Group to revitalise and reposition the Nike Lake Resort. These are just a few.

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President Tinubu has always told the 36 state governors that they are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity. He has always asked for their collaboration and support to move the nation forward, irrespective of party affliction tribe, and tongue. Obviously, therefore, in Gov. Mbah Tinubu has seen a leader and governor, who understands that real development comes from the subnational. Mbah has not also mounted it, but has walked the talk. So, Tinubu’s visit became inevitable with all these projects, programmes, and policies.

Reflecting on Mbah’s leadership journey and achievement in the last 19 months, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed confidence in the governor’s capacity to thrive, given the resilience and leadership demonstrated by the administration.

He said: “When we have characters and committed leaders like Peter Ndubuisi Mbah taking Enugu on the path of 21st-century development, greater heights, building our tomorrow today. I don’t care which party you come from because you are very well and very focused. He explicitly stated that the governor was doing great things in Enugu and has become a symbol of good governance in the southeast and Nigeria at large.

“You are a good leader. Mbah, you are my friend. We can go places together, in harmony, building Nigeria, and building the future. You have demonstrated irrevocable commitment towards human development.

“I am very proud of Nigeria. Mbah is proud of Nigeria. He is doing everything to provide security, attracting foreign investors, and other investors locally. There’s no better investment than the investment to secure lives. I saw those cars, the Distress Response Squad. It is the way to go.”

For emphasis, the governor of Enugu State is a member of the PDP, while the president is a member of the APC. Thus, the visit and encomium from the President not only convey and proclaim a strong validation of the performances of Governor Peter Mbah, but also speaks volumes about Mr. President’s dispositions as a federalist, pan-Nigerian, and bipartisan inclinations.

Finally, Mbah is a dreamer, who defies the words of Liberia’s ex-President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. According Sirleaf, “if your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Mbah’s dreams don’t scare him. They instead scare the bystanders. He comes with a fierce sense of urgency to give meaning and energy to leadership and governance, obviously inspired by his uncommon accomplishments in the private sector. Here, he Founded and took Pinnacle Oil and Gas from a small fry and late entrant in the industry, operating from just a one-room apartment and two staff in Lagos to a multi-billion dollar corporate unicorn controlling about 23 per cent of the market share ahead of the hitherto entrenched and major distributors in the downstream petroleum subsector in a record time.

Undoubtedly, Governor Mbah, in the words of the President, is “doing fantastically well” and Ndi Enugu are happier for it. With just 19 months gone by in his four-year term, one cannot agree that he is indeed the poster boy of good governance at the subnational level in Nigeria today.

•Nnamani, a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Enugu

January 19, 2025
Peter Mbah records breaking moves

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is swiftly etching his name in history with remarkable initiatives that have prominently placed Enugu State on the global stage. Since taking office, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to shaping the future of the coal city through extensive infrastructural development, educational advancement, public welfare improvements, civil service reforms, and enhanced security measures. His tenure has been marked by a refreshing approach to governance that emphasises quality service delivery, earning him accolades not only from his constituents but also from fellow governors who have recognised the rapid transformation occurring in Enugu State since his election.

Governor Mbah stands out for his focus on tangible results rather than engaging in superficial rhetoric. He is dedicated to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, which has garnered him substantial support as he works to transform the state into a more secure and prosperous environment. Beginning the year with considerable momentum, Mbah recently hosted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which they commissioned key projects undertaken by his administration. This event was a significant moment for the Southeast region, drawing widespread admiration for the impressive accomplishments achieved under his leadership.

Among the initiatives launched are 30 “Smart Green Schools,” rural road enhancements, and the deployment of 150 patrol vehicles equipped with advanced AI-embedded surveillance technology. These projects are part of a broader educational reform strategy, with 260 Smart Green Schools planned across the various wards in Enugu State, of which 30 have already been completed and fully equipped. Additionally, 60 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres have been constructed to improve healthcare accessibility for residents, with 260 such facilities planned throughout the state.

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Other noteworthy projects include the completion of a multi-auditorium and multi-functional Enugu International Conference Centre, 90 urban roads revamped within Enugu City, and the establishment of a sophisticated Command and Control Centre. The introduction of AI-integrated surveillance patrol vehicles further enhances security, signaling a proactive approach to public safety.

Sources indicate that Governor Mbah is tirelessly working towards achieving greatness for the state, operating free from the distractions of political manoeuvering. His efforts have fostered a stabilising political climate, effectively ending the disruptive sit-at-home orders that previously plagued the economy on Monday mornings. As a savvy businessman, Mbah is positioning Enugu State as an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment. His recent budget initiatives reflect a strategic focus on boosting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue while ensuring ample funding for critical capital projects that will benefit all citizens. Through his dedication and visionary leadership, Governor Mbah is not only meeting the immediate needs of the people but is also laying a solid foundation for future progress and development in Enugu State.

January 8, 2025
New Year: I won’t slow down on development speed, Mbah assures Enugu residents

Governor urges Nigerians to kindle fire of love, empathy, charity

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has assured the people of the state that his administration will not reduce the speed it took last year in the transformation of the state.

The governor urged Nigerians to kindle the fire of love, empathy, and charity to make the country greater this year.

Mbah said this yesterday in Enugu in his New Year.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to an inclusive development and all-bracing economic opportunities.

“The high expectations that have arisen as a result of the successes of the outgone year are understandable. We cannot afford to temper your expectations with excuses, or by lowering our deliverables.

“So, as we behold the dawn of a New Year, we can rest assured that there will be no tapering down on the social and economic re-engineering we have set off across Enugu State.

“We went through 2024 with the spritely dash of a sprint runner; 2025 will be no different. There would be no slowing down to catch our breath because our strong resolve to transform Enugu State has imbued us with the endurance of a marathon runner.

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“In a few days’ time, we will witness the formal commissioning of some major capital projects – from completed Smart Green schools to the breathtaking international conference centre; primary healthcare centres that expand quality medical care to the remotest locations in our state, as well as several kilometers of urban and rural roads; and bus terminals designed to restore order and dignity to our public transport.

“These are significant projects. But they are just a miniscule representation of our larger vision for Enugu State.

“This year, the doors of our smart schools will open across the entire state, bringing almost in a literal sense a world of opportunities to our children’s classrooms.

“Through our fully functional smart schools, we have caught glimpses of the wholesome transformation that children will experience when exposed to a range of practical and impactful learning.

“We can only marvel at the likely impact, as more students are brought into the pool that guarantees an education that is fit-for-purpose, and a skill set that sufficiently prepares them for the evolving global workplace.

January 1, 2025