2nd Anniversary:  How Governor Mbah Rekindled Hope To Ndi Enugu

       BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

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For two years now, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has been on the saddle as the governor of Enugu State employing what he christened, ‘disruptive innovation’ governance to expose citizens to the benefits of digital innovation and the digital economy of the state.

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Arguably, the first two years may not be enough to fully assess his achievements but it is a barometer to guage the pulse of the people and the direction of his government.

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As it is, Mbah’s administration digital innovation for economic prosperity has provided some insights into the Coal City State’s economy and the pragmatic approach towards developing it.

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Governor Mbah on ‘Democracy Day’, May 29, rolled out drums to celebrate his two years in office. It was a carnival sort of as thousands of people irrespective of political party affiliations, trooped to Michael Okpara Square, Enugu to listen to him.

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If the enthusiasm visibly shown by the people including the political gladiators who came for the event at the Okpara Square are indices to predict Mbah’s chances of retaining his cosy chamber at Government House (Lion Building), Enugu in 2027, then barrring any last minute change, the coast is clear for the Peoples Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) governor. However, politics is not predictable in third world countries.

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Mbah took the centre stage at the Michael Okpara Square, recalling, “Right here exactly two years ago, I first spoke to you as your governor, having just sworn to both my oath of office and allegiance.

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The governor noted that his speech was the culmination of a journey that began at the Godfrey Okoye University on October 13, 2022, recalling with nostalgia, “It was there, under the weight of our collective hopes that we laid out a vision – bold, unrelenting, and urgent.

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“I’m here today because accountability matters. You have placed your trust in me, and that trust comes with a responsibility to show up, to listen, and to answer for the work we’ve done”, he said.

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Mbah whose speech was paused intermittently due to spontaneous ovation from the crowd, said, “I come before you this morning, humbled by your support, proud of our collective achievements, and thrilled by the prospects that lie ahead.

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Indeed, Governor Mbah is aware that it is not yet Uhuru as he has to contend with the fulfilment of the social contract he entered with the electorate. Therefore, as he moves into the second half of his administration, there will be need to intensify efforts to bolster security by doubling down on his previous efforts.

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So far the Governor has done well on security but that does not mean that the state has zero insecurity. Matters relating to financial crimes and kidnapping for ransom are on the front burner and sophisticated equipment and experienced manpower are need to complement those already in force to enable the security agents to up their game to stymie the menace of marauding criminals.

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Despite the challenges, the governor said they are living up to the promises they made, asking rhetorically, “Have we done right by you? Is there enough evidence in our collective efforts thus far to inspire you and rally around a future vision?

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According to him, they outlined three major transformational objectives that defined his administration’s agenda for Enugu State. “These objectives were ambitious, measurable, and grounded in a disruptive developmental mindset: to grow our GDP from $4.4 Billion to $30 Billion by expanding the state’s economy through industrialization, digital innovation, infrastructure development, and a more business-friendly environment; to Achieve Zero Percent Poverty Headcount Rate in the State by eliminating poverty through social investment, job creation, education, and inclusive humane policies; to Make Enugu the Premier Destination for Investment, Living, and Tourism in Nigeria: We aimed to position Enugu as a modern, safe and attractive environment for investors, tourists, and working families.”

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He maintained that the objectives were positioned not just as ideals, but as clear metrics of progress, pointing out that what they began here was not just a new administration, but a movement — a journey of renewal.

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Characteristically of the governor, he told the people the home truth at the Okpara Square that amid the euphoria, however, the reality was stark.

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“When we assumed office, Enugu was a state of extraordinary people trapped in an ordinary story. A state rich in history but running on memory — a people full of potential, yet stuck in a system that had forgotten how to dream.

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“The economy leaned heavily on our civil service, with over 60% of our budget dedicated to recurrent spending, while innovation, enterprise, and productivity lay dormant. Fewer than 3% of businesses were formally registered, and the private sector, starved of support, barely breathed.

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“In our hospitals, the numbers told a quiet tragedy: infant, under-5 and maternal mortality rates at unacceptable levels — too many lives lost and futures ended before they began.

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“In many communities, security was a promise still waiting to be kept. The taps were dry, the roads broken, and the trust between people and government worn thin.

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Mbah often viewed from the prism of a technocrat is not a neophyte in Enugu politics, having held various top offices in the regime of the then Dr Chimaroke Nnamani who later represented Enugu East Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly. Mbah was Chief of Staff and later State Commissioner of Finance in Nnamani”s government.

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“But we knew, you knew that beneath the layers of political fatigue was a sleeping giant. Our mission was clear: to wake this sleeping giant and teach it how to walk tall again. Beyond rousing a sleeping giant, we had a whole new vision. We had a bold, disruptive, and transcendent vision — one that would not merely change the statistics, but change lives.

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“We saw a future where a mother no longer feared childbirth because skilled doctors and stocked clinics were just minutes away. Where a young man in Nsukka didn’t have to migrate to find work; Where a student no longer studied by candlelight or on empty stomach, but in digitally equipped classrooms with free school meals. We imagined goods and industry moving across smooth, safe roads. And above all, people would feel seen — not just as voters, but as citizens of a state finally awake to its purpose”, he said.

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He further recalled that some people thought they weren’t the ones to manage this kind of transformation — “that we spoke too boldly, moved too fast, or dared too much.

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“There were whispers that it was business as usual. Was this just another government dressed in new suit driven by old habits? Some had heard too many promises and seen too few results. They guarded their hope – and we understood that. Their doubts were the echoes of too many broken promises before us.”

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Emotion rose high when the governor reoeated the story of an elderly man who recalled with nostalgia how Enugu City once teemed with many industries; how youth willing to work readily found job opportunities there.

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“I’ll never forget the sadness in his eyes as he lamented the loss of such opportunities. There was also the grandmother, who had lost two daughters and two grandchildren, because the primary healthcare centre in their vicinity couldn’t offer the needed maternity care.

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“These stories are real; so too were the fears. But some pushback was fuelled by plain mischief. There were others who simply did not want us to succeed, because progress would undo the comfort of old systems. They fought with doubt, with delay, and sometimes with outright sabotage. But change seeks no permission. It moves — even through resistance. We chose action over comfort, sometimes progress over popularity. Real change is not fanciful — it is hard. It resists. It wounds. And, sometimes, it tests our faith.

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“There have been many nights I barely slept – because of the weight of the decisions we must make. There are days I pause – not from indecision, but from compassion. I’m constantly asking: How will this decision affect the people? Have we thought through the consequences? It’s part of the burden of leadership. Development is necessary, but it comes with difficult choices sometimes.

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“We were not promised ease — only the chance to serve. And, so, we pressed on, knowing that the first step towards transformation was into the unknown, with only the light of our vision to guide us. We chose to act swiftly, because we had no luxury of time.

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On perennial water scarcity, critics of Governor Mbah administration contend that although there is an evidence that the current administration is building new pipelines to connect residents in the city but until that plan is concluded, many still rely on boreholes and private water vendors exposing them to vulnerability of huge costs and illnesses associated with poor water quality.

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But Mbah, thinks differently as he fired back at his critics, insisting, “In our first 180 days, we restored clean water to parts of Enugu metropolis by reactivating the 9th Mile water scheme.”

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Mbah also spoke on roads and education saying, “We flagged off 71 urban and 20 rural road projects to reconnect our people and revive local economies. We brought back school feeding programme, so that our children could learn on full stomachs. We launched a digital business portal, cutting registration time because bureaucracy should never stand in the way of ambition. We began civil service reforms using digital verification, ensuring that public funds serve real workers, not ghost names.

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On security, he explained, “Because security is the foundation of every other promise, we deployed a Distress Response Squad (DRS), and installed AI-embedded Security Surveillance System that has now helped reduce urban crime by up to 80%. These early achievements were statements to you. They sent a message that we are serious about delivering on our mandate.

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“In just two years, we have begun to rewire the foundation of Enugu State for future promise. We have constructed over 800 kilometers of roads, opening access to markets, industry, schools, and hospitals. These roads cut across urban and rural communities. No community is being left behind. And it didn’t stop with roads – we built the systems that power them.

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“To date, we have delivered five ultra-modern terminals across the state: Holy Ghost Terminal 1 for interstate travel with a skybridge to Terminal 2; Holy Ghost Terminal 2 for intra-city transport; Gariki Terminal; Abakpa Terminal; and Nsukka Terminal – all ready to be commissioned.

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“We have allocated 33% of our budget, to education alone — surpassing even global benchmarks, because we believe that our future is forged in classrooms. Soon we will begin the rollout of 260 Smart Green Schools, equipped with digital whiteboards, science labs, and solar power — Experiential learning spaces, where children no longer dream of opportunity, but grow up learning they can create it.

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“Alongside this, we are building 260 fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres across every ward, each designed with staff quarters, solar panels, and clean water. No mother in Enugu should ever again fear childbirth due to distance or neglect.

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“Security is the foundation of all progress. We can’t live and work if we are not safe. We have launched a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre, deployed 150 AI-enabled security patrol vehicles, and witnessed the decline in violent crime, making it possible again to travel, trade, and sleep in peace.

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“In the economy, we’ve increased our internal revenue by over 600%, revived moribund assets, launched investment drives, and improved our ease of doing business while laying the groundwork for agro-industrial systems that will feed, employ, and empower.

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“We have equally created 300,000 hectares of Landbank to be leased to large scale commercial farmers. We have also established 200 hectares of Farm Estate in all the 260 wards in the state.

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The idea, he said is to scale up agricultural production across the value chain, both for export and the local market. No longer will agriculture seem like an afterthought.

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Findings by this reporter reveal that even Critics of the PDP administration in the state are happy with the completion of the Enugu International Conference Centre as it has given the state a place on the global stage.

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According to Governor Mbah,

the launching of the Enugu Air is a bold venture that will transform Enugu into a globally-connected economic powerhouse.

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“Like every single programme and project we have conceived, Enugu Air is no flight of fancy. With it, we have given additional wings to our dreams. Given its significant economic prospects, our unveiling of Enugu Air may seem like the icing on the cake. But in the grand scheme of things, it is just the tip of the iceberg. For years, the real potential of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was never fully realized.

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“But today, thanks to your support and the partnership of the Federal Government, its full potential is coming alive. But it gets even better.

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“Our cargo can now move directly from the Enugu International Cargo Terminal to the world. That means tech-enabled logistics and a trading dream come true for every Igbo entrepreneur. That means our businessmen can hop on a night flight to London, Dubai, Guangzhou, and even the United States, seal a deal by noon, and return the next day. Ndi Enugu, nke a bu nke anyi. This is the spirit of 042 – bold, innovative, and proudly ours.

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As a fact, Governor Mbah is standing out in area of transport, a reminiscent of Sullivan Chime’s days as governor.

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“We have conceived a radical overhaul of our transport system. We have procured 200 CNG buses and 2,000 city taxis. Our ticketing technology will significantly reduce transport costs for families. Each electronic card purchased won’t only suffice for a single trip – but used for several trips and across routes.”

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On tourism, the governor, “We’re creating for Ndi Enugu, and visitors alike, is mind-blowing. We’re constructing two canopy walkway – one each at the Awhum Waterfall and at the Nsude Pyramids. We have also launched a bold redevelopment plan for the Ngwo Pine Forest. This includes a 300-metre Zip Line – the first such in Nigeria. Parks and green spaces are essential to a city’s livability. Without them, cities lose their soul and are no more than concrete jungles.

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“We are carrying out an extensive revamp of five recreational parks in Enugu City. These include Ejindu Park in Coal Camp; Ngwo and Eze Parks in Uwani; Nnaji Park in New Haven; and the Unity Park. In a few weeks’ time, these parks would be opened to the public and will be equipped with facilities like football pitches, swimming pools, basketball and lawn tennis courts, game arcades, and children’s playground. We are reclaiming a glorious history frozen in time – and prepping for even bigger glories.

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If there is any other monumental edifice that brought joy to the residents of Enugu, it is the renovation of the Presidential Hotel abandoned for several years by successive regimes in the state.

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Mbah recalled, “When the Presidential Hotel opened in 1963, it was an iconic facility truly befitting of its name. It’s hard to find the words that best describe the sad fate that befell this structure – once a source of pride for the old Eastern Region, nay South East. But the old glory has returned! In a couple of weeks, the revamped Presidential Hotel will regain its rightful pride of place in the hospitality space. A similar tale will be experienced by Landmark Nike Lake Resort after its remarkable makeover.

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“These are real shifts in the lives of ordinary people. They reflect in the mother in Nkanu East no longer walking five kilometers to access healthcare. The teacher in Nsukka now teaching with digital tools; The child in Aninri who goes to school with a meal in her stomach and the chance of a future in her hands.

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“Today, we stand on the threshold of irreversible transformation. But there are some who would say that we’ve packed projects that should normally be spread across two terms into just two years. Such mindset is a disservice to the people. Progress doesn’t imply there are no more frontiers left to conquer.

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“We will never become complacent on the strength of our accomplishments. This is a solemn promise”, he assured.

Earlier, a former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, said Mbah had done well in  building and transforming the state.

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“What I can tell you today is that no other state has done what Enugu has done. For me, you are going to continue to be our governor. Everyone knows you are doing well,” he stated.

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Also speaking, business mogul, Engr. Arthur Eze, described Mbah as God’s gift to Igbo land and Nigeria, saying no one could stop his re-election.

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“God is a wonderful God. He brought your son, Peter Mbah to change Igbo land. When I came into the city, from Airport to the city, I noticed he has changed the whole Enugu,” Eze said.

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The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu and Hon. Nnoli Nnaji of the House of Representatives, pledged their continued cooperation with the governor.

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Speaking on behalf of returnees to the Peoples Democratic Party, former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, and LP chieftains, vowed to work for the success of the Mbah administration.

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“On behalf of the members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, who have joined us back in PDP, we commit ourselves once again to PDP and the ideals of the party. We stand and will fight for the PDP, and for our governor to the end,” he said.

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Mbah’s second anniversary was also marked with a holy mass at the Government House Chapel.

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Indeed, the colourful celebration has rekindled the hope of Ndi Enugu.