Features
Mbah at 53: Enugu’s Journey on the Road Less Traveled
By Ejeh Josh
When in April 2024, a syndicate – faculty and participants in the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 of the National Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (NISS) drawn from 26 agencies of 5 African countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Chad and Rwanda – visited the Southeast zone to understudy the state of security affairs and draw strategic comparisons with their experiences (past and present), the West Africa security chiefs left some indelible impressions consequent upon the observation in Enugu.
Led by the directing NISS staff and syndicate supervisor, Bolarinwa Adekunle, the security team gave a graphic disconcerting observation of the situation of security affairs in 2022 and what it was in April 2024 – less than a year after Governor Peter Mbah assumed office as the state’s security chief. Blending a panoramic imagery of a radical shift from the dreadful state of the past where renegade non-state actors held sway, unleashed reign of terror and laid siege on the nooks and crannies of the east to a state of freedom, Adekunle had this to say;
“I came to Enugu in 2022 as a participant of this prestigious course. We arrived in Enugu on a Sunday, and on Monday, we were made to stay in our hotel. We could not go anywhere. But, today, the situation is not the same.” Simple as the terse statement might appear, the coming of Mbah into office as governor was a defining moment not just among residents of Enugu State but the span of the Southeast enclave.
The ante Mbah administration witnessed a state under suffocation and under the jugular of criminals who dictated the way of life of the people. It was an excruciating experience that the memory continues to haunt survivors. Life was shut down. Government appeared to have lost the grip of authority to the rampaging marauders. Schools were under lockdown. The once burgeoning economy – market, industry, tourism – got smothered. People lived in perpetual fear. It’s a nightmare that even the relics of the Biafra war would not compare. And then came in quick succession the deafening silence of the inglorious sit-at-home where citizens and residents were forced to shudder and crouch under their bed for safety.
The situation seemingly appeared irredeemable dotted with daily gunshots. Hundreds of innocent civilians and operatives were abruptly cut short. Authorities were undermined and even cringed in cowardice for safety across the East. Regardless, sit-at-home orders were issued at the draconian whims and caprices of criminals; some of whom issued these orders from faraway foreign lands. Paralysed with fears, residents could only blow muted trumpets while maintaining unquestionable obedience to the dictates of the miscreants. Across the cities, towns and streets were the trail of the felons – silent streets deserted like ghost towns where war had consumed every breathing flesh. In his 1920’s The Second Coming, the Irish poet, W.B Yeats, painted the gory atmosphere that bedeviled the East. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”
It was in this state of confusion and anarchy that Mbah came in as governor. Dismayed by the reigns of terror, he proclaimed as unacceptable the continuous mortgage of lives of the citizens. He was resolute and committed to flourishing out the hydra-headed monster and put an end to their rampage. But like people long subjugated and mentally coerced by their tormentors, the decision to wrestle and “escort” the monsters out of the state and by extension, the Southeast zone, was resisted. They had accepted their fate of continuous whimpering. Mbah’s decision was very unpopular and the road he had decided to tread was the road less traveled.
In 1915, Robert Lee Frost, an American poet, published his well celebrated poem, The Road Not Taken, where he narrated how sojourners defined their journey of life. Competing and often conflicting choices are presented amidst uncertainty. The average human being is known to take the easy and popular path that resonates with peers and countrymen often borne out of rave of the moment. In Mbah’s governing philosophy, he is known as an unapologetic – unrepentant, rightly added, nonconformist who defied conventions in his uncanny path to dismantling traditions of inefficiency through his disruptive innovation mantra. In May 2023, Mbah mounted the rostrum as a new governor offering inaugural speech, and one take away on the lips of every listener and watcher was the “business unusual” phrase.
When he commenced the radical architectural departure which began to disrupt the webs of underdevelopment, the conservative society was befuddled, questioning and grappling to unravel the riddles the administration was demonstrating. Months later, the recondite administrative reforms began to set the pace for an unprecedented optimism. With the security restructuring, enabled by the deployment of technology to preempt, thwart and eliminate crime the state escorted criminal renegades out of the state. Sit-at-home became a memory consigned to the past. Life burgeons again! Economy, education, investment, infrastructure, and most importantly, emancipation from psychological slavery all became a dream fulfilled. That was the road less traveled taken by Mbah. A sacrifice only few would make in the country.
On Sunday, 16 March, I was at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Independence Layout, Enugu, for the Holy Mass. During the homily, the priest announced the communique issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at its 1st Plenary held between 8 and 14 March in Abuja. The communique made some consequential observations on the state of the nation and called on the governments at all levels to prioritise security and safety of the citizens. Of interest was the tacit commendation of Enugu State over its security re-engineering which led to the deployment of high technology to fight crimes and guarantee life of the people. When the governor embarked on this journey, which today had attracted several states to Enugu to understudy the security infrastructure, it was, for many, a tall dream. Importing the American modern security system which is tech-driven and AI-enabled in gathering intelligence was probably the height of the road less traveled and which would never been taken by many leaders. Mbah did. That was daring audacity of courage.
Born March 17, 1972, Mbah, has continued to receive encomiums from Nigerians, especially among his people, as he marks 53rd birthday anniversary. His life-transforming projects are now left to speak for themselves.
Different sections of the society are pouring in their tributes, describing the young governor as a man of many qualities, shattering the barriers of leadership and doing the seemingly impossible through his mantra of disruptive innovation which he introduced into governance.
“He has done it before. He did it in the private sector, where he disrupted the supply chain of the downstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry. It was an unimaginable feat, and when he embarked on the journey, many of us who were already established players in that sector thought such uncanny idea would end up into a cesspit of nightmare and tale of failure.
“He, however, pulled the plug. From 14 days to 24 hours. He displaced the inefficiencies, consigned the waste and singlehandedly saved the nation of costs – environment, human health, that ephialtes called demurrage, and made the process more efficient for Nigerians. That almost eliminated the tortuous riddle of fuel scarcity.
“So, when he promised disruptive innovations in the public space during his campaign, I knew he had a lot to offer, but not to the extent of what we are seeing today. There is almost a 360-degree turnaround in what used to be the notion behind public leadership – and the governor has laid that foundation, the state has rapidly taken off on its development trajectory, and you start wondering if this was the Enugu we used to know few years ago,” Engr. Rafiu Briggs, a major dealer in the oil and gas industry had reeled out the testimony about Mbah.
Mr Briggs’ immersive impression of the governor was only one out of many. Only recently, a former senator from Enugu North senatorial district, Chuka Utazi, had narrated how he lost his way in the state as a result of the sudden shift in the development process which realigned the state’s landscape. The state of infrastructure was swamped with decay arising from years of leadership droughts and mismanagement. There was a great hue and cry among the residents of the state calling for intervention on the decaying state of infrastructure and total relapse of the economy.
In less than two years, the magic was done. This rather was a magical moment, used figuratively to describe the science behind the disruption witnessed in the governance model that shattered that leadership ceiling in the state. Across the 260 electoral wards of the state, landmark projects worth billions of naira are on top gear. The state transitioned from its static stature of a stunted adult to one setting a giant pace in the country. Enugu became the beautiful bride where analysts and Nigerians point to as a rallying point for good governance.
That is a quick reminder of Ruchir Sharma’s “The Rise and Fall of Nations” which highlighted key indicators he called rules of thumbs to understanding a nation’s economic trajectory and the intentionality of triggering a shift from the cobwebs of established traditions to something novel and innovative. While the journey to disrupting the “incremental development process” became increasingly unpopular among the political leeches rationalised by their conservative prejudices was ongoing, Mbah’s will to recalibrate the state from a state belonging to a cartel of parasites to people-oriented society gives Enugu the shape it has taken in recent months.
From restoration of security confidence to re-tooling the economy, infrastructure, human capital development, youths’ upskilling and education, Enugu shot itself into the moon, becoming a new beacon of hope; a city on the hill. Today, Enugu has maintained that reference point for good governance as people travel from other states to behold its magnificent sites and sweeping vistas made possible by the emerging governance model. Only a leader who is not just competent and disciplined but uncannily financially prudent can muster the courage to pick a state wobbling from years of abuse and neglect and remodel it within months to the envy of its contemporaries.
In describing the governor’s selfless service, the President-General of Enugu State Development Association, Igwe Abel Nwobodo, an elder statesman, referred to the inspiring transformation the state is experiencing under the current dispensation. Moving Enugu from a public service status to private-driven economy appeared insane an idea to conceive looking at the incompatibility it posed. But Mbah had not only shown its possibility, Enugu state is priding itself as an investment hub with opportunities for local and international investors.
While those from the private and public sectors have something warm and positive to say about the governor from the prisms of his commitment and dedication to service, public servants – teachers, civil servants, retirees, local governments’ workers are not left out. They have found their voices through the governance structure set up by the Mbah administration to help them fulfill their dreams and live meaningful life. That’s the society where inclusion, equity, equality and justice reign.
Promotions of workers as at when due, salaries and emoluments, pensions and gratuities, including other incentives are now taken for granted under Mbah’s leadership. While not stopping there, the governor marshalled what is now known as, “Rural Dwellers’ Allowance” for teachers as a way of encouraging quality education among people in rural communities.
With the Smart Green Schools, the primary healthcare system and other social services going on across all the electoral wards in the state – the first in the history of Nigeria – the coast to birthing a new smart state positioned as one of the future largest economies in Africa is a matter of time.
*Happy 53rd Birthday to the Sheriff of Good Governance.*
By Petrus Obi
It was a remarkable demonstration of political loyalty, solidarity and appreciation as the university town of Nsukka came to a virtual standstill during the flag-off of the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign, with thousands of enthusiastic supporters trooping out to identify with Governor Peter Mbah and his administration.
From the massive turnout to the palpable excitement that greeted the governor’s arrival, the event offered a compelling picture of the growing political momentum behind Mbah in Enugu North Senatorial District.
Economic and social activities were significantly disrupted as residents, party faithful, traditional and community leaders, youth groups, women organisations and other supporters converged on Nsukka to be part of the historic political gathering.
For many observers, the mammoth crowd was more than an ordinary party
mobilisation. It was an eloquent expression of appreciation by a people who believe that the Mbah administration has brought renewed attention to their zone and demonstrated a commitment to balanced development across Enugu State.
The excitement surrounding the campaign flag-off was particularly significant given Nsukka’s strategic position in the state’s political
equation. As the headquarters of Enugu North Senatorial District and home to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the town occupies an important place in the political, educational, commercial and cultural life of the state.
The enthusiastic reception accorded Governor Mbah therefore carried considerable political significance.
It was also a moment for the people to publicly identify with a governor whose development agenda has continued to place infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and economic expansion at the centre of governance.
Beyond the party banners, colourful displays and political speeches, the gathering reflected something deeper: the desire of the people of Nsukka and the wider Enugu North Zone to be part of the development story unfolding in the state.
Governor Mbah’s administration has consistently projected a vision of a new Enugu built on modern infrastructure, improved public services, investment attraction and economic transformation. From the construction and rehabilitation of roads to the modernisation of schools, healthcare facilities and security architecture, the administration has pursued an ambitious development agenda.
For the people of Nsukka, the campaign flag-off provided an opportunity to demonstrate their support for that vision and signal their desire for its continuation.
The turnout also reinforced the importance of political inclusion and the governor’s engagement with communities across the three senatorial zones. In a state where political support is often shaped by perceptions of fairness, development distribution and accessibility to government, the reception in Nsukka was a strong statement of confidence.
The university town, which has historically played a major role in shaping intellectual and political discourse in the South-East, once again became a centre of political activity, with residents turning out in large numbers to welcome the APC campaign.
Indeed, the scale of the mobilisation suggested that the Mbah administration’s political appeal in Enugu North is not limited to party structures alone but is also being projected through community participation and the enthusiasm of ordinary residents.
For Governor Mbah, the Nsukka outing was an important opportunity to consolidate political support, strengthen the APC’s grassroots structures and take the administration’s message directly to the people.
For the people of Nsukka, it was equally an opportunity to make a statement of their own: that they appreciate the direction of governance in Enugu State and want to remain part of the journey towards a more prosperous future.
The message from the university town was unmistakable. Nsukka turned out in impressive numbers, and the enthusiasm surrounding the campaign flag-off offered a powerful reminder that political support is often expressed most convincingly through the people themselves.
As the APC campaign gathers momentum across Enugu State, the Nsukka reception will undoubtedly stand out as one of the defining moments of its engagement with the Enugu North political constituency.
Features
New Cement Factory: Is Ebonyi Governor Misleading the People Over Proposed Nkalagu Project?
By Okey Maduforo
From the boundaries of Awka and Enugu State across the Ezu River, through the swamp rice fields of Awba–Ofemili, and from the borders of Igbariam in Anambra East to Achalla, the headquarters of Awka North Local Government Area, the story was once the same: ten communities largely abandoned and resigned to fate.
Predominantly agrarian, Awka North for decades presented the picture of rustic settlements struggling for basic infrastructure. Before the creation of the old Anambra State, many communities could not boast of electricity, while pockets of development recorded in a few areas were largely due to their proximity to Awka, the state capital.
Successive administrations at the local government level made attempts to stimulate development, but the scale of neglect meant that critical projects continued to beg for attention.
The ThankGod Anagu Intervention
In just 14 months since the emergence of the Mayor of Awka North Local Government Area, Chief ThankGod Anagu, the narrative has begun to change. His administration has pursued what many describe as a coordinated and people-centred delivery of social infrastructure, repositioning the once-forgotten council area and highlighting its vast socioeconomic potential.
Under his watch, a total of 39 classroom blocks have been renovated and fully equipped, significantly improving the learning environment across communities. In addition, more than 12 roads have either been constructed or attracted through his administration, easing movement and boosting economic activities.
To address insecurity, the Anagu administration installed security surveillance cameras across strategic communities, a move that has strengthened crime prevention and enhanced public safety.
The Achalla Local Government Secretariat, previously a shadow of itself, has also received a comprehensive facelift. Renovation works covered the main administrative building, the conference hall, and the Rt. Hon. Justice P.K. Nwokedi Hall, restoring dignity and functionality to the council complex.
Tackling Flooding and Erosion
Communities along river lines that had long suffered perennial flooding and erosion have not been left out. Erosion control projects executed in Ebenebe and neighbouring towns have helped protect over 36,000 buildings and vast farmlands, preserving livelihoods and preventing further environmental degradation.
Agricultural Outreach and Empowerment
As an agrarian society, Awka North has also benefited from targeted agricultural interventions. Through collaboration with the Anambra State Government, farmers have been empowered via outreach programmes such as the Farming to Feed initiative and the Palm Revolution, both of which have accelerated agricultural productivity and rural economic growth.
As Chief ThankGod Anagu continues to chart a new course for Awka North, many indigenes believe that with more time, the council area could fully consolidate its developmental gains and evolve into a modern, smart local government with agriculture, security, and infrastructure as its pillars.
On Sunday, the 4th of April, history stirred quietly beneath the ancient hills of Nike as we — alongside the CEO of Landmark Africa, Dr Paul Onwuanibe and others ; the custodians of the iconic Nike Lake Resort — stepped into a journey that promises to reshape the landscape of tourism in Enugu State.
Guided by the visionary momentum of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, we traced the green spine of the Nike-Ohum Tourism Corridor — a corridor not merely of geography, but of destiny. From the rhythmic whispers of the Nike caves to the majestic gaze of the Udi escarpment, the land told stories waiting to be heard by the world.
This wasn’t just a site visit. It was a pilgrimage into promise, a handshake between heritage and opportunity. It signaled that Mbuluoweje, once a hidden jewel in the hills, is now poised to become a beacon of eco-tourism, cultural revival, and sustainable prosperity.
We went, not just with eyes open — but with hearts aligned to a future already unfolding. For indeed, tomorrow is no longer a distant horizon. It has arrived, dressed in the colors of innovation, investment, and inclusive growth.
The Governor’s transformative tourism blueprint — forged with intentionality earlier this year — is no longer ink on paper. It is spirit on terrain. And in that spirit, we walked. We envisioned a world-class tourism ecosystem — resorts nestled in nature, trails that tell stories, and villages turned vibrant through the power of shared culture and commerce.
This visit will be remembered not just as a meeting of minds, but as a turning of keys — unlocking Mbuluoweje Zone to the world.
To the people of Nike, to the youth, to investors, and to dreamers across Nigeria: prepare for the unveiling. The world is coming to Enugu, and the hills are ready to sing.
Ozo Ossy Onuko the MD Awka Capital Territory Development Authority ACTDA writes from China where he is currently on a working visit and takes a look of ine the hospitalities and culture of the Asian Tiger.
As I sit calmly in my 26th-floor hotel room, overlooking the beautiful city of Changsha, glancing through my new book – Chimamanda’s masterpiece, “Dream Count,” I’m immersed with thoughts, kind thoughts I must say about the emerging new world order – CHINA. I’m reminded of China’s remarkable journey. Some 45 years ago, China opened itself to the rest of the world, ready to deal. After undergoing significant disruptive economic and administrative reforms, a new China emerged from the rubble of numerous wars including the 2nd World War and the Cold War that followed.
I was shocked to learn that in 1839 Britain/Europe brutalised China in a war for refusing the sale of opium to its citizens by the British government in a bid to balance China/Europe’s trade deficit… opium a hard drug with strong addiction tendencies impacted the youth population of China, in other words, Britain was pushing hard drugs to China – keep pondering on that as I continue.
The superior military advantages enjoyed by European forces led to several easy victories over the Chinese military, with the consequence that China was compelled to sign unequal treaties to grant favourable tariffs, trade concessions, reparations and territory to Western powers. One of which was ceding Hong Kong to Britain.
China a poor country, now with a 1.4 Billion population, almost negligible in global affairs then contributed less than 1% to global GDP and in 1978, the year China began to open and reform its economy its GDP increased to 149.5 billion dollars, accounting for 1.7% of the world economy.
Since then, GDP growth has averaged over 9 per cent a year, and almost 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty.
Today, China’s GDP stands at 18.5 trillion US dollars accounting for 19.6% of the global economy. Generally far higher than the contribution of the entire European countries and particularly a far cry from the UK’s 2.0% contribution to global GDP.
China is projected to contribute 22.5% of the global GDP by 2030 and “economic marabouts” prophesy that China will surpass the United States in ten years to become the world’s largest economy and that if that happens, it will be impossible for the US to catch up given the speed of their growth.
Now one wonders less why Donald Trump shouts America First at the top of his voice…it could be that the marabouts have also leaked these things to him. His man Friday, Elon Musk was once amazed at China’s growth, so astonished that he tweeted thus, “China’s progress in advanced infrastructure is more than 100 times faster than the US” – Elon Musk, 27th Feb 2018.
The US is the world’s economic powerhouse, with a GDP of 29 trillion US dollars, contributing approximately 26.3% of the global GDP, its continued economic dominance is threatened by this emerging new world order…the future of the United States lies solely on the ongoing economic reforms under President Trump. While various opinions continue to trial Trump’s reforms, the global magazine The Economist published an article on April 10th, 2025, with the topic “Trump’s incoherent trade policy will do lasting damage”. Whichever way it goes, the jury is out.
Still savouring the bliss of Changsha – the Capital City of Hunan Province of China. Changsha has a population of 10 million people and occupies 11,819 km² space, which is more than five times the size of New York.
This morning, I flew for two hours from Beijing to Changsha, my guide, the delightful and ever-smiling Vivi ( not her real name, you know Chinese names rumple tongues), told me a lot about the history and development of Changsha especially the fact that it is the shoppers delight, as it’s notable amongst many guides they emphasize on shopping areas believing that foreigners have a lot of shopping appetite.
If she had not told me the City was more than 3,000 years old, I would have passed it as a newly emerging green city of China, I was thrilled by the urban regeneration that has transformed a 3000-year-old city into a modern infrastructural masterpiece, the type I have not seen anywhere else.
Can one ever overemphasize the friendly nature of the Chinese, especially those not familiar with blacks? When we walk the streets of urban areas of China, we can be called celebrities. Chinese – couples, students, old and young grapple to either say a cheering and sincere “Ni hao” (hello or hi China), or a selfie photo with you.
We don’t often get that treatment in the West where there’s an overbearing sense of dominance of whites over blacks. Permit me to posit a hypothesis and let our scholars put it to the rigourous test…” blacks are tolerated in the West but celebrated in China”.
As I retire to sleep tonight, it will be unfair not to mention a young Chinese I met at one of the Macdonalds in Chengsha.
When I rushed to grab lunch today, I was greeted with so much warmth and given endearing attention by this McDonald’s staff in a manner I have not experienced anywhere else, regardless of the language barrier between us, we related seamlessly. He would bring out his translator to interpret every word I speak or translate his. But mentioning him here is simply to highlight the National Culture Consciousness I observed in China amongst its teaming youth population.
Because of how cordial the young man was with me, I mistook him for an adult and asked him for a pub where I could ease off. The young man cheerful replied to me and said he’s a minor and by law, he’s not allowed to have such discussions with me…I froze, I just had to.
To make my new foreign friend happy, I would in his shoes simply point at the bars around, but that was not him, he knew the law and didn’t want to flout it. Then again I offered him a tip after my meal, tips elsewhere are a ritual almost like a compulsory part of a bill, he also declined and told me in clear terms that in China, my satisfaction mattered more to him than my tip, that it is their culture.
While I cannot generalise with this isolated case in McDonald in Changsha, it is a strong indication of a strong national orientation anchored on shared values and rooted in excellence where hard work and diligence take priority over rent-seeking and frivolity, a similar social orientation promoted in Nigeria by Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, Executive Governor of Anambra State.
Did I mention that there’s an emerging zinger in China now? Your guess is as good as mine…”America second!”
Ozo Ossy Onuko the MD Awka Capital Territory Development Authority ACTDA, wrote from China.
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