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One Year Anniversary: Enugu State In Safe Hands Under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah
He arguably comes across as the Governor with the best scorecard in 365 days. Ndi Enugu can attest to this truism. The Enugu space today tells lucid testimonies of the place of commitment, dedication, capacity and competency in transformational leadership. And such is the remarkable Story of Peter Mbah.
I had a near 30 minutes private dialogue with His EXCELLENCY Peter Ndubuisi Mbah three days after he was sworn in as the Executive Governor of Enugu State in 2023. Interestingly I have elected to pen this Tribute in Profound Leadership in his honour exactly one year after that incisive dialogue.
The caption of this Press Statement cum Tribute in exemplary leadership came as he responded to my advise that he must endeavour to leave his footprints on the sand of time now that his vision and ambition to govern Enugu State has become a reality. To my advise, Peter Mbah retorted, Prof it is not just about footprints on the sand of time, I shall do things differently, he assured me.
One year after, even the staunchest critic of Peter Mbah agrees indeed that things are being done differently. To Governor Peter Mbah democracy is nothing without the people. Conscious of this time tested praxis he set out to work with utmost alacrity knowing that without profound service to the people, democracy loses its defining ethos.
Barely one hour after he was sworn in as Governor on the 29th of May, 2023 he signed three Executive Orders.
The Orders were in regard to the Citizens’ Charter, which essentially outlined his commitment to the provision of jobs, as well as quality amenities and services that substantially improve citizens’ living condition; transparent and inclusive governance; and the convening of consultative town hall meetings to present government’s plans and receive citizens’ feedback.
That action was beyond symbolisms and was in no way driven by the quest for validation. It boldly reaffirmed his conviction to make the people the summum-bonum of his government’s policies. From the outset, there was absolute clarity about his vision for Enugu State, which could be summed up thus: To make Enugu one of the top three States in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product and achieve a zero percent rate in the poverty headcount index. This also includes the determination to grow Enugu State’s GDP from $4.4bn to at least $30b in the next four to eight years.
And taking that commitment beyond words or mere policy programmatic, Peter Mbah hit the ground running like one possessed by an excellent spirit. In one year the story is different. In one year the strides are lucid. In one year the dance is profound, and in one year there are monuments of reference.
On SECURITY. His government realized that nothing poses as much threat to the spirit of enterprise and, indeed, drains life out of a city as does criminality – or any hint of it. That explained why freeing the State from the stranglehold of an illegal sit-at-home order was among the earliest actions he took as Governor.
Crime may be an ever-present fixture in the society. Nonetheless, the Peter Mbah administration has shown zero-tolerance for crime in Enugu State. And he continues to demonstrate this through the consistent fight against crime, strengthening the capacity of the Distress Response Squad and providing logistical support to the various security arms in Enugu State. It is noteworthy that in the last 365 days there has been significant drop in crime across Enugu State. And very importantly the Mbah administration has remained proactive and vigilant. This is evident in the setting up of a Security Command Centre which is technology-enabled to offer real-time, round-the-clock surveillance of the major streets and neighbourhoods via CCTV cameras placed at strategic locations. Need I inform you that more than 80% of the Enugu Metropolis is presently covered by CCTV, thanks to the man who has elected to do things differently.
Conscious of the fact that the primary reason for which governments exist is the protection of lives and property, the Peter Mbah Administration hastened to establish a Security Trust Fund in furtherance to the determination to keep the State safe and enthrone a sustainable platform to pool resources to fund the security needs of the State. The Trust Fund which has been signed into law helps to foster citizens’ engagement and inspire a renewed sense of civic responsibility.
Across all sectors within the past 12 months Gov. Peter Mbah’s commitment to the Citizens’ Charter and the courage to bring that vision to fruition has remained unbroken. The efforts of his Watch are vindicated by the visible turnaround in public infrastructure, and sustained increase in annual IGR. He is not reinventing the wheel, but has certainly created a suitable environment for the wheel to spin faster and unencumbered in a way that meets the urgency of now.
On WATER SUPPLY.
When Governor Peter Mbah gave a 180-day timeframe within which Enugu’s water problem would be solved, it wasn’t because he considered it a “low-hanging fruit” that could be easily notched. It was because he knew where the provision of potable water ranked on every resident’s wish list – and how urgently they wanted it to be ticked off.
He reckoned that the problem of acute shortage of potable water that Enugu residents had experienced for decades should by no means become a situation that simply has to be endured. The mere fact that an anomaly had persisted for so long is not an excuse for it to be normalized, as it were. That was why daily sights of children standing in long queues, with buckets and cans to buy water from tankers according to him were his most depressing encounters during his campaign for Governor.
Daily water supply to Enugu municipal was an average of two million litres before the intervention of the present watch. Today, the Peter Mbah administration has upped that paltry figure to 120 million litres of daily water supply. And this was done within the projected timeframe.
The fact is that only about 45 percent of what constitutes Enugu metropolis was reticulated, comprising mostly the older residential neighbourhoods. Much of the outlying – and fairly recent – districts were never connected to the supply grid. The Mbah Administration has successfully delivered water to those areas originally on the distribution line, mostly including neighbourhoods where public water had not run in decades.
A good example is the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNEC) my alma mater, where the Deputy Vice-chancellor upon seeing water gushing from the taps for the first time in over a decade was overjoyed. And the excitement for the students remain palpable knowing that the sanitary condition of the hostels has improved with regular water supply. Indeed Mbah is doing things differently.
Coal Camp is another such neighbourhood where the taps had been dry for longer than most residents could recall. So, the excitement was understandably evident. On a general note, the administration has achieved this level of coverage across the Enugu municipal:
· GRA I & II – 80%
· Abakpa – 55%
· Ogui – 80%
· Independence Layout (including parts of Nza Street) – 60%
· Uwani – 85%
· Trans Ekulu – 30%
· New Haven – 85%
· Idaw River – 55%
· Emene – 60%
The public water supply experience in most of these neighbourhoods and their surrounding areas was at best unreliable – and at worst non-existent, such was the case for decades. But according to Governor Peter Mbah once the ongoing replacement of pipes, and water line obstruction in several locations arising from physical planning infraction are resolved, a total coverage of reticulated areas will be seen.
Indeed the vision of ensuring that every home in Enugu State has access to water, and the systemic commitment to pulling this through is one halcyon stride in Peter Mbah’s predilection to doing things differently.
On ROADS. Roads that were, for many years by-words for neglect and municipal dysfunction are manifestly wearing new looks. From the once port-holed and dusty roads of Odudukoko and its environs in Gariki; to the gullies that for years left Trans Ekulu a shell of its once glorious past; from the literally impassable Premier Layout and College Road, in Abakpa; to the many Roads linking the metropolis which were nightmare stretch for motorists and residents, the Administration has increasingly turned the State to a huge construction site for the good of all.
It is evident that there is hardly anyone who hasn’t encountered some major road construction around their locality. It hardly matters where you live; the simultaneous rehabilitation and reconstruction of 71 roads in Enugu urban areas have ensured that virtually every neighbourhood in the city is experiencing an impressive road infrastructure makeover, and such is in tandem with his promise to do things differently.
The rural communities are not left out. The ongoing construction of 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem Dual Carriageway that will open a new gateway to the North-Central region is indicative of his determination to bring a new lease of life to rural communities.
And the recent acquisition of an asphalt production plant, which has a capacity to produce over 1000-ton eco-friendly asphalt daily defines the unalterable commitment of the Peter Mbah’s administration to fix more roads even beyond his immediate projection.
To Governor Peter Mbah every intervention in the last one year has further reinforced the need to radically retool the socio-economic paradigm to make the hopes and aspirations of Ndi Enugu a Promise fulfilled.
On EDUCATION. The Commitment to doing things differently gave birth to the Smart Green School Initiative, which clearly is His Excellency’s bold response to the shortcomings of the public education system.
The Administration is building Smart Schools in each of the State’s 260 electoral wards. These schools are reflective of the steely resolve of his government to bequeath to children an experiential education that can help them navigate the evolving knowledge-driven world, and imbue them with a skill-set that ensures they can practicalize what they have learnt, and are literally at ease with the tools of tomorrow’s workplace.
Mbah’s Smart School Project is certainly not an abstract dream; its prototype stands out elegantly in Owo as a pointer to what the 259 others will look like on completion in 2025. Construction works are simultaneously ongoing at 135 schools, and the Action Governor has assured Ndi Enugu that contract for the rest is due for award in the second phase.
Each Smart School features an interactive digital whiteboard, an internet system, robotics and artificial intelligence centre, modern ICT centre, two science laboratories, hybrid multimedia library, creative production studio, 25 inclusive classrooms and 700 Android tablets. And through these schools, the government shall be nurturing a silent technological revolution.
Peter Mbah’s administration’s N158.78bn education budget is both the highest per capita in the country, and in regard to the percentage of total budget sum – at 33 percent. It is also higher than UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15% – 20% of total annual budget. I can say perhaps it is the highest in the world. It implies for instance that for every 100 Naira spent, 33 Naira goes to the education budget. Think about that, and then the mantra ‘doing things differently’ will make renewed sense.
On HEALTHCARE. His investment in the health sector is no less remarkable. The Government of Enugu State under His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah is building new Type 2 Healthcare facilities across the 260 electoral wards in the State. In the 30 Public Healthcare Centres PHCs currently functional each centre is well-equipped and boasts the requisite manpower, comprising Doctors, Nurses, and other relevant health workers. To curb the notorious practice of workers’ absence in hospitals, there are living quarters with constant and alternative power supply for Doctors and Nurses.
Mbah’s government has also paid due attention to the welfare of healthcare workers, and has ensured that every obligation in relation to allowances as well as agreements are fulfilled. This includes employment of Medical Practitioners, as may be necessary, to bring the doctor-to-patient ratio to acceptable standards. This would be impacted, no less, by the presence of the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences which received further boost when he signed the bill upgrading the institution to a Teaching Hospital.
Another area of success has been in the digitizing of patients’ records at various healthcare facilities in the State, which has created a seamless access to patients’ health history at state-owned facilities.
Development experts often say that the test of a policy is always evident in its outcome and impact on general wellbeing. This is especially true with what Peter Mbah has done in the health sector where there has been vast reduction in infant and maternal mortality rate in the State.
On REVIVING MORIBUND ASSETS AND RECOVERING STATE’S ASSETS. Few weeks ago the Peter Mbah led government signed a contract for the revamping of the iconic Presidential Hotel, and works have actually begun in that regard. He also performed the groundbreaking for the 345-room International Conference Centre Hotel, Enugu which would be the first 5-Star category hotel in the South East.
The absence of a truly 5-star hotel has long deprived Enugu State the opportunity of tapping into the immense benefits inherent in the expansive service industry such as conferences, meetings and events. This is despite the long illustrious history of the Coal City. But with its completion schedule of 11 months, the hotel, alongside the 5,000-seating capacity International Conference Centre due for opening in a few months, will take his government a step closer to making Enugu the Conferencing Capital of Africa. Indeed both facilities represent key enablers of his target of three million annual tourist visits to Enugu.
It is instructive that Presidential Hotel was built in 1963 with income earned largely from Agriculture, by the premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara. The same could be said of the several once-thriving but now moribund industries such as Nigergas Company Limited, Niger Steel Limited, Sunrise Flour Mills, etc. which the government is taking steps at reviving.
This commitment earned huge dividends recently with the return of 14 such assets to the government. And the motivation is the common good ditto improving the lives of Ndi Enugu.
On AGRICULTURE. Oil Palm was at the heart of Eastern Region’s agro-based economy. The presence of hectares of Palm Plantations across the region best illustrates this. Two such plantations from that era exist in Enugu State. Unfortunately, they have for years been in the throes of death – to put it mildly. However, with the signing of a N100bn partnership deal with Pragmatic Palms Ltd, a private investor, there is now a clear path to recovery for the moribund United Palm Products Ltd. What more defines the uncanny predilection of Gov. Peter Mbah to do things differently?
His government is scaling up Agricultural production in Enugu State. And he is committed to seeing that no longer will investment in agriculture seem like a mere token gesture – or an afterthought.
Indeed Enugu State is on the verge of an agricultural renaissance, given how his government is steadily creating the inputs that would enable the State to reap abundantly from the potential it offers. For instance, his government has created 100,000 hectares of land in each of Enugu’s three senatorial zones for the cultivation of export-focused cash crops, and building the infrastructure that opens up opportunities in the entire value chain, from storage to processing of agricultural produce.
From this vast tract of arable farmland, the Government has established a land bank through which it can forge partnerships with local or foreign businesses desirous of investing in agriculture. Indeed a few months ago Peter Mbah’s administration sealed a Public-Private Partnership deal with Ugwuanama Farms Limited for the industrial cultivation of cassava, rice, maize, banana, oil palm, yams, and sundry crops at a 15,000-hectare farmland in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area. The investment of the government in agriculture reflects a strong emphasis on value addition and agro-processing, hence the attention devoted to growing the cassava-to-ethanol value chain.
Also, few weeks ago, the government received a delegation from the African Development Bank and the Federal Government through the ministries of finance as well as agriculture and food security. The visit was a preparatory step towards formalizing an investment partnership for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, which, besides boosting the State’s earnings when operational, would create massive job opportunities.
As someone with an economic outlook extensively honed in the private sector, Peter Mbah fully understands the importance of creating a governance framework that enables businesses to flourish. This is at the heart of the “Enugu State is open for business” mantra.
On ELECTRICITY REFORMS. In signing the Enugu State Electricity Bill into law and establishing the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Government took concrete steps towards becoming a major player in the power sector. This is critical to its plan for industrial expansion, and the projection of the Enugu State government to attain regular power supply in no distant time, working with the private sector.
Indeed, the ceding of regulatory oversight of the local electricity market to the Enugu State government is a strong validation for the quest to develop a commercially viable electricity market that is both reliable and sustainable. It is especially so, given that Enugu State was the first sub-national conferred with such rights. This development is a precursor to the ultimate goal of attracting investors desirous of setting up power generation plants in Enugu State, a move that will guarantee stable power supply and launch the bid of the State to become an industrial base.
On the JUDICIARY. The Reforms of the Peter Mbah led administration in this sector has yielded many benefits. Much progress has been achieved towards an end-to-end digitalization and automation of court processes. So, it’s only a matter of time before cases are filed virtually. The deliverables of the ongoing project include:
· Establishment and equipping of virtual hearing centres for the State High Court, the Correctional Centre, and the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse;
· E-filing for Lawyers;
· Automation and digitalization of Enugu State laws, amongst others.
Sufficient progress has also been made towards attaining Verbatim Reporting for the courts. This would eliminate the strain of longhand recording on Judges, shave off the time lost doing so manually and, ultimately, improve productivity.
Voicing a commitment to create an enabling environment for businesses tend to come easily. The difficulty usually lies in bridging the void between commitment and action. Not so however for the Peter Mbah government.
In the first year of his administration, Peter Mbah has created Specialized Courts to optimize justice delivery. This is crucial because access to justice, ease of enforcing contracts and obtaining documents are critical business enablers and useful indicators for gauging the ease of doing business in any given State.
The Justice reforms of his administration are by no means tailored only towards creating an improved operating environment for businesses. It is all encompassing. Under the Peter Mbah watch, for instance, Small Claims Court with specialized focus covering all matters in which the amount claimed is One Million Naira or less have been created. And this is fully operational. Other categories of Special Courts created include:
· Commercial Court (which deals with Commercial, Contracts, Revenue and Financial matters)
· Probate and Family Court (dealing with Probate, Matrimonial Causes and Family Matters)
· Criminal Court (responsible for Criminal cases involving sentences above 14 years, including life and death sentences)
· Originating Applications.
· Lands (or Real Estate) Court – which handles Land matters.
The goal is creating unimpeded access to justice for all. Also in line with this, over 15 Executive Bills were sent to the House of Assembly and have since been approved, signed and assented to.
TRANSPORTATION. As his government strives to re-position Enugu as a major hub for business, sports, tourism and leisure, giving the city a new lease of life conducive to those lofty dreams has become a compelling necessity. Since the discovery of coal in 1909, Enugu has grown from a modest colonial outpost with a handful of encampments for workers of the various coal mines to the bustling megapolis that it is today. Of course, the population too has grown from 62,000 in 1952 to over four million in just the Enugu metropolis.
So, Enugu metropolis now grapples with overcrowding and the resulting strain on basic amenities and infrastructure. Roads that once sufficed for the prevailing traffic at the time they were built have literally become too small for the sheer volume of traffic, which could be seen in the perennial gridlock experienced across the city.
Across the world, cities’ livability drops if they lack a functional transport system with organized bus terminals that confer dignity on users and enhance seamless commuting – both at intra – and inter-state levels. Through the Central Terminal the Enugu State government is working on Ogbete/Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, and creating a modern transportation interchange that literally opens up the city and eliminates the enormous manhour that is lost to traffic on a daily basis.
To create a comfortable commute for the public and ensure sanity on the roads, the Peter Mbah government is procuring 150 CNG buses – of which 50 is already on ground – and these according to His Excellency would be deployed across various routes. He is also bringing in over 2,000 taxis in conjunction with a private company desirous of setting up an assembly plant in Enugu.
On WASTE MANAGEMENT. Few things blight cities like heaps of refuse. Across the world, as a matter of fact, waste management is a potent marker of municipal efficiency and government’s responsiveness. For the Peter Mbah led administration, rising population cannot be an excuse for overflowing waste bins anywhere in the State – let alone in the heart of the capital.
The government has matched words with action because to Peter Mbah it has always been about doing things differently, and having the will to fix an evidently broken system that had failed for years. Indeed the administration has carried out an extensive re-organization of Enugu’s Waste Management system, and has paved way for the participation of private companies, which have brought in several waste compactor trucks, in place of open trucks. This has vastly improved efficiency and resulted in a cleaner Enugu State.
But I hear that the Government intends to do more by taking waste management a notch higher, using the tool of technology to explore the possibilities in waste-to-wealth, and waste-to-energy.
On ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. Just like his pledge to ensure a proper waste disposal in Enugu State, his government is committed to enthroning effective remedial actions on climate change. The Mbah led administration is profoundly aware of the catastrophic impact of climate change on economic growth and livelihoods, and recognizes the urgent need for a robust climate policy that will pave the way for a clean energy transition, spark green innovation, enhance climate resilience, and drive sustainable economic growth for the State thus ensuring a brighter, greener future for all.
To this end, His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah has announced that Enugu State is on the verge of securing a remarkable #100m grant from the African Climate Foundation, which will be instrumental in developing a groundbreaking and innovative science-based climate change policy and action plan for the State. This pioneering initiative will be the first of its kind across the 36 States of the Federation, positioning Enugu as a trailblazer in climate action and sustainable development.
The climate policy and action plan will be the roadmap to an exciting array of initiatives, including a major climate education and awareness programme, climate finance mobilization, and a transformative clean cooking programme to protect people from the health risks of open firewood cooking.
Moreover, in furtherance of his government’s commitment to a healthy climate, a grand tree-planting exercise that will rejuvenate the degraded ecosystems, sequester carbon, and beautify Enugu State, setting the stage for a vibrant and sustainable future is according to Mr Peter Mbah in the works.
There are other very Olympic projects that underscores the feat of the man who is committed to doing things differently. Please follow though and see why Peter Mbah is unarguably the watchman with the most elaborate scorecard in 365 days.
The Mbah Administration also envisioned the Enugu New City to be the premier investment destination in Nigeria. The New City sits on a corridor that connects the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions, plus the fact that it is only 15-minutes drive from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. The Enugu New City signals the birth of a new world of opportunities. This vibrant, integrated metropolis driven by manufacturing, commerce and tourism will boast facilities comparable to the standards in globally-renowned cities, from theme park to industrial park.
To return Enugu to its enviable status as the preferred location for Nollywood movie production, Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has secured a multi-million dollar deal to construct an entertainment and sports park in Enugu, and made substantial investment in rehabilitating the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, numerous tourist sites, and is involved in organizing major events where young up-and-coming artistes happily showcase their talent.
The government has invested much in the darling football Club of Ndi Enugu, Rangers International FC, improving their welfare, and bringing in the right management team. And this reflects in the fact that the club is currently top of the NPFL table.
HUMAN CAPITAL/WORKERS’ WELFARE. The Mbah led administration is implementing an e-governance technology, and digitalization in Enugu State with significant positive impact on both the people and the economy. The key benefits include Increased Accessibility and Convenience. It will also improve Service Delivery, Transparency, and enhanced communication and feedback from the public, this awesome initiative takes full effect according to his Excellency in a few days.
In addition, the government has paid considerable attention to the twin-issues of pensions and gratuities. To the Peter Mbah administration senior citizens deserve their due reward when they retire, having devoted a great percentage of their lives in service to the State. Doing so, according to his government would require some verification exercise to digitalize the process and make the payments seamless, going forward. And for the record the Peter Mbah Administration has in fact, cleared the verified backlog.
The man of the moment and the hour Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah knows that the work ahead may be daunting, but his determination to continue to do things differently is unwavering. He enjoins Ndi Enugu to continue to have faith in his administration, and to believe in the journey before them, because democracy is a collective walk.
In his one year anniversary speech, he charged his beloved People, Ndi Enugu to greater commitment stating that by the much the State has achieved in the one year of his watch, and having crossed many watermarks of success, borrowing the words of Chinua Achebe, IT’S MORNING YET ON CREATION DAY! Indeed, tomorrow is here! He noted.
I cannot but proudly associate with the man who is doing things differently, and wish him more fulfilling strides and profoundly remarkable times as the Governor of Enugu State.
Happy One Anniversary to Your EXCELLENCY Governor Peter Mbah, May Enugu State prosper in resounding ways under your watch.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT.
Policy Analyst.
Leadership Trainer.
And P.R Consultant.
Survivor
The use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment is being suspected as a possible cause of the tragic death of four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), following an off-campus party in Nsukka, Enugu State.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where the students gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out.
The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
His account has raised the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, a potentially fatal condition associated with inhaling fumes from generators and other fuel-burning equipment, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless poisonous gas that can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, confusion, unconsciousness and death when inhaled in dangerous concentrations
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has suspended his scheduled town hall meeting with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) community following the deaths of four students at an off-campus party.
The governor also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and announced plans to work with authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations across the state.
The incident reportedly left four students dead and six others hospitalised, throwing the university community into mourning.
Mbah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing the deaths as a heartbreaking loss to the affected families, the university and Enugu State.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu.
In the statement, the governor lamented that the students had lost their lives in their prime, cutting short promising futures. He also extended his condolences to their parents, friends and the entire UNN community.
“I received with rude shock and deep sense of loss the news of the off-campus sign-out party leading to the death of four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and hospitalisation of six others.
“This is a grievous loss not only to the immediate families of the deceased and the university, but also to us as a state. Losing them in their prime and along with their promising future cuts as deeply as a sharp knife.
“We, therefore, share in this grief and pray God to grant their families, friends and the UNN community the equanimity to bear the heartbreaking loss.
“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, only to face this sad turn of events,” he said.
The governor said the state government had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He added that the government would collaborate with the university authorities and security agencies to establish the cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.
“In the meantime, I have suspended my scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community on Friday, November 13, 2026, as we join the university in mourning the dead.
“Going forward, we will work with the authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, a trend that has cost more lives and brought more sorrows than joy to families and higher institutions of learning,” Mbah stated.
The governor also called on relevant government agencies and tertiary institutions to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers and consequences of drug use and abuse.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, friends and the university community the strength to bear the loss.
The Canadian government has announced plans to grant permanent residency to up to 100,000 foreign workers already living in the country and their eligible family members under a new time-limited immigration measure.
The initiative, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Tuesday, is part of a broader strategy to clear application backlogs, fulfil existing immigration commitments and provide greater certainty for migrants awaiting permanent residence decisions.
Under the measure, up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada are also expected to obtain permanent residency.
Additionally, about 12,600 people who have already been found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are expected to benefit.
The government said the initiative would provide additional admission spaces in 2027 to speed up the processing of applications from people already established in Canada.
According to a background document published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the workers’ category covers applicants under selected federal immigration programmes, including the Atlantic Immigration Program, Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot and Home Care Worker programmes.
Provincial and territorial governments will also be allowed to nominate workers who meet their regional labour requirements through increased allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program.
The government said the initiative was designed to support people who had already established themselves in Canadian communities but were still waiting for permanent residence decisions.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, said the measure would help the country honour its existing commitments while restoring sustainability to its immigration system.
She said the initiative would accelerate the processing of applications from people from Hong Kong and Ukraine, giving them greater certainty as they continue to build their lives in Canada.
Hong Kong, Ukraine Applications
The announcement also provides for the processing of outstanding permanent residence applications from Hong Kong residents and Ukrainians under previously established immigration pathways.
The Canadian government said it intends to process all remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, which closed to new applicants on August 31, 2026.
The outstanding applications are expected to result in up to 32,000 permanent resident admissions.
Similarly, the government plans to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which stopped accepting new applications on October 22, 2024.
The applications are expected to result in up to 18,800 admissions.
Together, the two pathways account for a potential 50,800 permanent resident admissions.
Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt, welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant step towards providing a future for individuals and families who have chosen to make Canada their home.
She said the decision followed five years of advocacy alongside the Hong Kong community.
Another lawmaker, Michael Ma, representing Markham—Unionville, said the measure would provide relief to applicants who had endured lengthy waits for permanent residence decisions.
He expressed optimism that completing the outstanding applications by the end of 2027 would demonstrate Canada’s commitment to affected families.
Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, said the initiative would also benefit Canadian businesses and the wider economy by ensuring employers could retain workers already contributing to the country’s workforce.
He added that providing migrants with greater certainty would enable them to pursue professional training and qualifications, further strengthening their contributions to Canada.
Ukraine, Hong Kong Communities Welcome Decision
The National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alexandra Chyczij, welcomed the announcement, particularly the government’s commitment to clear the backlog of applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway by the end of 2027.
She said the Ukrainian community appreciated the government’s willingness to consider its concerns, including calls for permanent residence pathways for Ukrainians living in Canada under the CUAET visa programme.
Similarly, physician and Hong Kong community representative, Dr Henry Pang, described the decision as a source of renewed hope for Hong Kong residents awaiting permanent residence.
He said clearing the backlog would enable Canada to retain valuable healthcare professionals already contributing to its economy and public services.
The Canadian government, however, clarified that the initiative would not establish new immigration programmes or reopen pathways that had already closed to fresh applications.
It added that eligible applicants would not be required to submit additional applications or contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to be considered under the additional admission spaces.
The government also noted that the beneficiaries were already living and working in Canada, meaning the measure would not result in additional new arrivals.
The initiative forms part of Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which is aimed at bringing immigration to sustainable levels, improving application processing times and providing greater certainty for people seeking permanent residence.
President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, seeking approval to implement the N10.79tn external borrowing component of the 2026 Appropriation Act to finance part of the Federal Government’s budget deficit.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and read during Wednesday’s plenary, the President requested authorisation to raise $7.71bn at the budget exchange rate of N1,400 to a dollar.
Tinubu said the request was in compliance with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003, which require the terms and conditions of external loans to be presented to and approved by the National Assembly.
He explained that the proposed borrowing was already captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act as part of the N29.22tn approved new borrowing to finance the Federal Government’s budget deficit.
According to him, the approved borrowing comprises N18.28tn in domestic loans and N10.79tn in external borrowing.
“I write to request the permission of the House of Representatives to implement the new external borrowing plan contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act in the sum of N10,790,366,835,481, which is equivalent to $7,707,404,882.49 at the budget exchange rate of $1 to N1,400, for the part financing of the budget deficit,” he stated.
The President said the government would explore different borrowing options simultaneously, taking into account the cost of borrowing and the time required to access the funds.
However, he indicated that greater emphasis would be placed on Eurobond issuance, which he described as a faster means of raising substantial funds at relatively lower costs.
“All options will be pursued simultaneously, considering the cost-benefit to the country as well as the time required to access the funds. In view of this, emphasis will be on the issuance of Eurobonds, which is typically faster to conclude,” Tinubu said.
He added that the final terms and conditions of the Eurobond issuance would be determined by prevailing market conditions at the time of pricing.
Tinubu assured the lawmakers that the Federal Ministry of Finance and the DMO would work to secure the most favourable borrowing terms available in the international market.
He further explained that the external loans would finance projects and programmes contained in the 2026 budget, particularly in critical sectors such as defence and security, transportation, agriculture, power, education and health.
The President also argued that the proceeds would help strengthen Nigeria’s external reserves and support the naira, noting that the funds would be received by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government.
In the resolution sought from the House, Tinubu requested authorisation for the government to raise the funds through multilateral and bilateral institutions, conventional and commercial lending windows, the International Monetary Fund, bridge financing facilities and Eurobond issuance.
He also sought approval for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, in collaboration with the DMO, to take all necessary steps to implement the proposed borrowing arrangement.
Responding to the request, Abbas clarified that the President was not seeking approval for a fresh borrowing plan, stressing that the N10.79tn external borrowing had already been approved by the National Assembly and provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
He explained that the request was intended to fulfil the statutory requirement for parliamentary approval of the terms and conditions governing external loans before the government could proceed with implementation.
Abbas said Section 21(1) of the DMO Act required the terms and conditions of external borrowing to be presented to the National Assembly for approval by resolution, while Section 27(1) provided for parliamentary approval of standard terms and conditions for negotiating and accepting external loans.
The Speaker further distinguished the request from the President’s separate proposal for additional borrowing, noting that both matters were independent and would be considered on their individual merits.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this request is distinct from the President’s more borrowing request. It neither supersedes nor withdraws that request, which remains subject to consideration on its own merit,” Abbas said.
He added that the current request concerned only the statutory authorisation required to implement external borrowing already provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The clarification comes amid concerns over the Federal Government’s growing reliance on borrowing to finance budget deficits and its implications for debt sustainability and public finances.
Nigeria’s 2026 budget provides for a deficit of N31.55tn, with new borrowing of N29.22tn identified as a major financing component.
The latest request, therefore, does not introduce a new borrowing figure into the 2026 budget but seeks the legislative resolution required to access the external component of the borrowing already approved.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted former Nigerian soldier, Ruth Ogunleye, over defamatory TikTok publications against the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, sentencing her to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₦500,000.
However, the court suspended the custodial sentence for three years under a plea bargain agreement, subject to Ogunleye’s compliance with several conditions, including publishing a public apology, deleting the offending publications and undertaking not to make further statements about the senior military officer.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa of Court One, Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, following an agreement reached between the prosecution and the defendant under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, according to security reporter Zagazola Makama.
Ogunleye was initially arraigned on a five-count charge instituted by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, over allegedly defamatory videos circulated through her TikTok account, @ogunleyeruthsavage, on or about August 14, 2026.
The prosecution accused her of deliberately publishing videos containing allegations against Olatoye, which it claimed she knew to be false and intended to cause annoyance, insult, injury, hatred, ill will and damage to his reputation.
One of the charges concerned a TikTok video captioned, “Maj General Yemi Olatoye is responsible for my death”, in which she allegedly displayed the senior military officer’s photograph.
Another count involved a publication captioned, “I go post your oga own too, your oga own dey my phone”, in which she allegedly referred to the NDA commandant and made statements concerning him.
The five-count charge also contained allegations that Ogunleye claimed to possess intimate photographs of the senior military officer and threatened to publish materials concerning him.
The offences were brought under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended by the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024, and punishable under Section 24(2) of the Act.
However, following negotiations between the prosecution and the defence, Ogunleye pleaded guilty to Counts One and Two, while the prosecution agreed to withdraw Counts Three, Four and Five.
Under the plea bargain agreement filed before the court, she was fined ₦250,000 on each of the two counts, bringing the total to ₦500,000 payable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She was also sentenced to one year in prison on each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The court, however, suspended the custodial sentence for three years, subject to her compliance with the conditions contained in the agreement.
Among the conditions, Ogunleye is required to demonstrate remorse and undertake not to engage in similar conduct again.
She is also required to publish a public apology in two national daily newspapers within 14 days of sentencing, in a form approved by counsel to the nominal complainant.
Another major condition prohibits her from making further statements, publications or communications concerning Olatoye, whether through spoken words, text messages, social media platforms or any other means.
The restriction also extends to communications made through another person or under any other name or account.
The agreement further prohibits her from contacting the senior military officer, either directly or indirectly.
She is also required to delete, within 48 hours of her release from custody, all posts and videos concerning Olatoye from her TikTok accounts and any other accounts under her control.
She is equally prohibited from republishing or sharing the materials with anyone.
Paragraph Six of the agreement provides that any breach of the conditions contained in paragraphs Four and Five during the three-year suspension period could result in Ogunleye being brought back before the court to serve the suspended prison sentence in full, once the court is satisfied that a breach has occurred.
The agreement also provides that her undertaking not to make further publications about or contact the nominal complainant will remain binding for life.
During the proceedings, Justice Aikawa asked Ogunleye whether she understood and accepted the terms of the plea bargain. She consented to the agreement and the issuance of a restraining order under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, which is to remain in force until further order of the court.
Her defence counsel, I.S. Yahaya, subsequently endorsed the plea bargain terms.
Speaking after the proceedings, Mohammed Sani Katu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who represented the nominal complainant, said the case was resolved through a plea bargain after the defendant’s lawyer approached the prosecution to negotiate an agreement.
Katu said the case initially involved five counts filed by the Inspector-General of Police following Ogunleye’s arrest.
“It is a matter between the Federal Police and Ruth Ogunleye. The matter has been trending on social media, as you can confirm,” he said.
According to him, the defence lawyer proposed an arrangement that would bring the proceedings to an end without the parties having to go through a full trial.
He said the negotiations resulted in a formal plea bargain under which the prosecution agreed to withdraw three counts in exchange for Ogunleye’s guilty plea to the remaining two.
“She pleaded guilty last week, and the matter was adjourned until today for parties to file what we call the plea bargain terms,” he said.
Explaining the sentence, Katu said the court imposed one year of imprisonment on each of the two counts and a fine of ₦250,000 per count.
“Having pleaded guilty, she was sentenced to serve the prison time of one year each on the two counts and then to pay a fine of N250,000 on each count, cumulatively N500,000.
“Now, the sentence is suspended for three years so that we can put her under observation to see whether she will be remorseful. If within these three years she violates these terms, she will be brought back to serve the sentence,” he said.
Katu stressed that the suspension did not cancel the custodial sentence, adding that Ogunleye remained bound by the conditions throughout the three-year period.
He also explained that the restrictions were intended to prevent a recurrence of the conduct that led to her prosecution.
“After these three years again, in order that she will just go scot-free, the whole terms of the plea bargain will now also come into place that she should not do anything that has to do with the nominal complainant,” he said.
The lawyer further argued that Ogunleye’s guilty plea meant she had admitted that the claims contained in the two TikTok publications were untrue.
“Don’t forget the charge, how it looks like. She said she has his pictures, she did whatever and so on and so forth.
“Now, for her to have pleaded guilty means that all that she said in that TikTok is not true. And on that basis, she was convicted and judgment was delivered,” he said.
He maintained that any violation of the court-approved conditions could expose Ogunleye to the suspended custodial sentence, subject to the court determining that a breach had occurred.
Background
SaharaReporters had earlier reported on October 26, 2026, that Ogunleye, a former Nigerian soldier who publicly accused senior military officers of sexual harassment and alleged that her complaints were ignored, had been arrested and transferred to Kaduna.
At the time, a source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that she had been moved from Lagos to Kaduna and was being held in custody while awaiting trial.
The source alleged that her arrest was ordered by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), although the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the specific charges against her were not immediately clear.
Ogunleye had previously attracted public attention in 2024 after accusing Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem of sexual harassment and alleging that other senior military officers failed to protect her after she complained about his conduct.
Among those she accused of failing to intervene was Musa, who was then Chief of Defence Staff and is now Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
In an interview monitored by SaharaReporters in September 2024, Ogunleye said she had sought Musa’s intervention, alongside that of other senior officers, but received no meaningful assistance.
“I sought intervention from people like General C. G. Musa, the current Chief of Defence Staff. I told him. I told so many officers. I sought redress but nothing was done because he is my senior, and nobody was ready to give me a listening ear,” she said.
In January 2024, she also accused Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo of intimidation and other forms of alleged maltreatment after she rejected what she described as unwanted sexual advances.
The Nigerian Army subsequently investigated her allegations and said it found no evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment claims against Abdulkareem. The Army also maintained that Ogunleye was discharged from service on medical grounds following medical assessments.
In October 2024, Ogunleye appealed for a review of the case, saying she believed someone might have tampered with the investigation’s findings. She also expressed concerns about the stigma surrounding the allegations and their implications for her reputation.
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