In a time when many vulnerable families are struggling to make ends meet, the compassionate leadership of Governor Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah once again came to the fore on Saturday as the Enugu State Operations Coordinating Unit (ENSOCU) arrived in Ikem Community, Isi Uzo Local Government Area, to identify indigent persons for government intervention.
For many residents, the exercise was more than a routine data collection exercise. It was a message of hope. It was a reassurance that government has not forgotten the widow struggling to feed her children, the elderly man abandoned by circumstance, the physically challenged person yearning for support, and countless families battling poverty in silence.
The visit by ENSOCU is a direct reflection of Governor Mbah’s belief that governance must touch lives, especially those at the lowest rung of the social ladder. It is another demonstration that behind the administration’s ambitious infrastructure and economic development agenda lies a compassionate heart committed to lifting the vulnerable and restoring dignity to the less privileged.
Leading the delegation was the State Project Coordinator, Barr. Joy-Blossom Eneh, accompanied by the Head of Operations, Mrs. Martina Ajibo, IEC Officer, Comr. Sulaiman Onyeama Jr., Enumerator Lady Doris, and the Lead Enumerator for Isi Uzo Local Government Area, Ede Cornelius N. (De Young).
Moving from one location to another, the team engaged residents, community leaders and stakeholders in the painstaking process of identifying those genuinely in need of support. For many community members, it was the first time they felt seen and heard by government representatives who had come specifically to understand their challenges.
Addressing residents during the exercise, Barr. Eneh described the initiative as an expression of Governor Mbah’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that development reaches every household, irrespective of social status or location.
“This is not just about gathering names and figures,” she said. “It is about finding the people behind the statistics. It is about reaching those who have been forgotten by circumstances and ensuring they become part of the development story of Enugu State. His Excellency believes that every citizen matters, and that is why we are here.”
Her words resonated deeply with many of those present. In communities where economic hardship has left many families vulnerable, the exercise sparked renewed optimism that help may finally be on the way.
The initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to expand the State Social Register, creating a reliable database that will guide future interventions and ensure that assistance gets to those who truly need it. Beyond the data, however, the exercise represents something even more profound: a government extending a hand of care to its people.
Governor Mbah’s administration has consistently emphasized that development must be inclusive. While roads, schools, healthcare facilities and investments are transforming the state, the governor has remained equally committed to ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable members of society are not left behind.
The #TomorrowIsHere vision is therefore not only about physical infrastructure; it is about human lives. It is about creating opportunities for those who have none, restoring hope where despair exists, and giving vulnerable citizens a reason to believe that tomorrow can indeed be better than today.
As ENSOCU continues its statewide exercise, community leaders, desk officers and enumerators have been encouraged to support the identification process by helping to locate and document indigent persons in their respective communities.
The success of the programme, stakeholders noted, depends on collective effort and a shared commitment to ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
For the people of Ikem, the visit was a reminder that compassionate governance is not measured only by policies and projects, but by the lives touched and the hope restored. And as the ENSOCU team concluded its engagement, one message stood clear: under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, the poor and vulnerable are not forgotten, and the promise that #TomorrowIsHere is steadily becoming a reality for all.

For years, Obiagu existed in the shadows of Enugu’s bustling city centre—alive with people, trade and nightlife, yet weighed down by neglect. Today, hope is returning, and for one young woman, Nweke Chinemerem Abigail, that hope was too powerful to keep silent.
Standing amid visible changes in her neighbourhood, Abigail took to social media to document what she described as a turning point for Obiagu, a densely populated area at the heart of Enugu metropolis. Her video, which has since gone viral, captures more than construction work—it tells the story of a community finally being seen.
“God has finally judged Obiagu,” she exclaimed in the emotional video, her words reflecting years of frustration and longing for government attention. To her and many residents, the intervention of Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, signals the end of abandonment and the beginning of renewal.
Obiagu is home to thousands of low-income earners who have learned to survive amid poor infrastructure. Yet, in spite of its challenges, the area has always pulsed with life. It is a major commercial hub, renowned for its printing presses, newspaper offices, and vibrant street trading. From dawn until late night, the neighbourhood hums with activity, serving as a backbone for Enugu’s informal economy.
Residents say the irony was painful: a community so central, yet so overlooked.
“We live in the middle of the capital, but we felt like we didn’t belong to the city,” one trader told this reporter. “People came here to work and make money, but nobody cared how we lived.”
The renewed government intervention has begun to change that narrative. Though details of the project are still unfolding, the visible improvements have ignited a sense of dignity among residents who say they had resigned themselves to permanent neglect.
For Abigail, the changes represent more than physical development—they symbolize recognition.
“This is about the poor being remembered,” she said in the video. “It gives us hope that our lives matter too.”
As Obiagu slowly sheds its slum identity, the story of one young woman’s gratitude has become the voice of many. In her joy lies a simple but powerful message: development is not just about roads and buildings—it is about restoring belief to people who thought they had been forgotten.

Picture shows work in progress in Obiagu. Thanks Mr. Governor

By PETRUS OBI.

Dear Governor,

I am writing because I have no option here.

Your Excellency, In case you are not aware, so many people, political observers, critics, journalists,  saved, not only your inaugural speech at the Okpara Square on May 29, 2023,  but also your manifesto.

Your promises were not just humongous, they sounded unattainable, unrealistic or even imaginary. They sounded like the usual promises from Nigerian politicians and leaders, and, many have waited to see how things turn out as years roll by.

Recently, I woke up to read from an Anambra critic – Odera (Pen of the gods); the piece was titled “Warning to Governor Mbah of Enugu.” He wrote:
‘Sir, I would have told you is not friendly advise but I told you is friendly.
‘What you are doing is not friendly at all , yes, you are a bully; let me explain.

‘Anambara is supposed to be Enugu’s senior and big brother, but the intimidation you are meting out to us is humiliating.

‘Okay, let me not comment on the transformation you are giving Enugu State without cho Cho cho (noise)…you simply brought another one which I won’t support.

‘Anambara was the first to battle Criminals in our bushes with Agû na Eche Mba, even though with Egbe chakakpom (inferior) and now you have given your own Vigilante, Guns which three will buy all the ‘chakabula’ we use in our state.
‘My anger is that if you chase all the criminals away from Enugu, they will come to Anambara and turn it “Home for all criminals.

‘So Sir, I plead that at times you allow your men to stroll into Anambara and show us some love. We agree that you pass us on good Governance, kindly have mercy and throw some security around us.

‘I come on bended knees. I am Mazi Odera POg JP, known as Mkpisi Ndi Egede or Dibia ónu ike.’

The Anambra based writer was referring to the recent sophisticated crime fighting equipment you added to what was already on ground.
If Odera, Pen Of The gods, was trembling over what the people of Enugu are already getting used to, one wonders what his reactions would be when he learns of your approval to constrct and reconstruct all urban roads in Enugu.

A government statement says this is in line with your administration’s target to pave all the roads in Enugu metropolis before the end of your first term in office.

“We have done the first phase, which was over 90 roads. We have also done phase two, which also exceeded the earlier planned 141 urban roads. So, we are now in phase three. Here, we are going to award contracts that will cover all the roads that are yet to be paved in Enugu metropolis.

“These roads cut across New GRA, Old GRA, Emene Zone, Abakpa Zone, Thinkers Corner, Airport Corner, Upper Meniru in Awkunanaw, Idaw River Layout, Gariki, Maryland, Achara Layout, Uwani, One Day and Upper One Day, Trans Ekulu, Independence Layout, Independence Layout Phase II, Coal Camp Zone, Pocket Layout, as well as Ogui and Asata Zone, among other places. We want to cover the uncovered areas roads in the Enugu metropolis,” he said.

Returning to your inaugural speech, I found answers to some questions.

You said; “For six months, I traversed the length and breadth of Enugu State visiting the 68 development centres. During this time, I listened to you, saw your challenges in the midst of considerable resources and felt your pains….
“There is no doubting Enugu’s capacity to recreate the iconic wonderment of economic prosperity and phenomenal growth witnessed in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Our will is strong and unshakeable. We are also acutely aware that where there is a will, there is always a way. When their forebears conceived the models of Dubai and Singapore some few decades ago, they too began to sow their tomorrow like a tiny seed as we are doing today. At that moment, the conceivers of the dreams appeared like some theatre jesters. Today, those countries have become models of the wondrous depth of human capacity.
“We will pursue an infrastructural revolution in Enugu State by turning our state into one huge construction site. We will prioritize road construction and infrastructural renewal ensuring that our roads are well paved. Where necessary we shall construct flyovers and dualise roads as a remedy to any gridlocks.

“Our approach to tackling insecurity in Enugu State will be by adopting the kinetic and non-kinetic models and approaches. We will strengthen community policing architecture; neighbourhood watch and forest guards. In this mode, we will deploy modern technology such as CCTV cameras and others, as well as establishing a command-and-control centre in Enugu State, so as to track perpetrators of crime who we will pursue and bring to justice.

Your Excellency, you must be wondering where my problem with you lies.
It lies in your pace which appears too fast for so many people who never believed its possible.
It could be found in the fact that you are proving doubting Thomas’s wrong so early in the day.
It lies in records that may be difficult to match, especially for some of us who would want to be Governor tomorrow.

It also lies in Odera’s fears and alleged ‘intimidation.’
But, are these really problems?
If the answer is in the negative, then I ask to be forgiven for choice of words.

Yours Faithfully,

Petrus Obi.

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Email: petrusobi@gmail.com

Fresh tension is brewing in Enugu South Local Government Area as the people of Obeagu Awkunanaw Community have raised alarm over alleged plans to forcefully take over their ancestral land and renewed markings on their buildings by officials said to be from the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).

In separate petitions to Governor Peter Mbah, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Chairman of ECTDA, the community alleged a “renewed plot” to unleash mayhem and resume demolitions reminiscent of what they described as “the massive destruction and misery” of January 2024.

The petitions were jointly signed by Hon. Mike Ogbonna, President General; Reuben N. Okafor, Secretary General; and Chief Christian Egbo, Traditional Prime Minister of Obeagu Community.

In a strongly worded protest letter dated October 6, 2025, and addressed to the ECTDA Chairman, the community expressed shock over what they called “a worrisome development” involving unidentified persons who claimed to be officials from the authority and allegedly marked several structures in the area for removal.

“We were shocked, to say the least, when we observed a handful of persons who, without proper identification but upon our prodding later identified themselves as officials from your office, were sent to mark some of our structures for removal,” the community wrote.

“While we hope this is not a prelude to another round of demolition akin to the massive destruction and misery caused us by the very act of last year (2024), we still tenaciously hold the view that you acted deliberately to frustrate and render nugatory the prosecution of our pending suits,” the letter added.

The community reminded the ECTDA Chairman of pending court cases relating to the disputed land, particularly Suit No. E/1081/2019 and E/263/2020, both of which, they said, remain unresolved.

“Given all the processes and documents herein brought to your attention, you are now properly guided and well equipped to resist the temptation of taking further action or steps which are clearly subjudice and patently lawless,” the letter further read.

In another petition dated October 5, 2025, addressed to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the community raised what they described as an “S.O.S.” over alleged plans by the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, retired DCP Olasoji Akinbayo, to deploy his men for a “forceful takeover” of their communal land in concert with “vicious land grabbers.”

“We alert Your Excellency to an information at our disposal to the effect that the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, retired DCP Olasoji Akinbayo, acting in concert with some vicious land grabbers who are his friends, is allegedly mustering about four units of Forest Guard members under his command to invade our communal/ancestral land,” the petition stated.

The community accused the former police officer of having a long history of “victimization and brutalization” against them during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Enugu State Command.

“Our community was visibly placed under siege as the said retired DCP Olasoji, at the behest of his paymasters, the land grabbers, used truckloads of police officers to garrison our community, arresting and hurriedly arraigning some hapless members on trumped-up charges. Funnily, none of the charges was sustained in court,” the letter read.

While praising Governor Mbah for his “top-notch infrastructural and developmental strides,” the community urged him to investigate the alleged plot and call the Forest Guard Commander to order to avert what they described as “a looming breakdown of law and order.”

“Act fast, Sir, to avert any breakdown of law and order. A stitch in time saves nine,” they urged the governor.

Similarly, in a separate petition to the Inspector General of Police, also dated October 5, 2025, and copied to the AIG, FCID Annex, Enugu, the community expressed fears that retired DCP Olasoji was planning to use the Forest Guard as a substitute for the police to achieve his alleged objectives, following the IGP’s recent directive warning officers against involvement in land disputes.

“It is easy to discern that resort to the members of the Forest Guard by retired DCP Olasoji and his co-conspirators is certainly as a result of your stern warning to members of the Police Force against interference in land matters,” the petition read.

“We strongly believe the source of information about this pending attack against our community as it were, by retired DCP Olasoji, to be reliable, credible and actionable,” it added.

As of the time of filing this report, none of the accused parties, the ECTDA, the Forest Guard Commander, or the Enugu State Government, had officially responded to the allegations.