Gov. Mbah Urges Enugu Residents to Take Pride in Their Achievements

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State urged residents to take ownership of the administration’s achievements over the past three years, stressing that lasting change depends on citizens consolidating every advance made.

Speaking at a thanksgiving Mass held at Government House Chapel in Enugu to mark the third anniversary of his administration, Mbah highlighted projects and progress launched under the “Tomorrow is Here” philosophy since 2023. He said the administration’s accomplishments cannot be viewed merely as a collection of projects.

He explained that the government is “rebuilding the operating system of this state and a different future is being constructed layer by layer – economically, culturally, and institutionally.”

Mbah warned that the state would lose a valuable opportunity if it reverted to its previous socioeconomic conditions. “Imagine waking up tomorrow and finding yourself back in the Enugu of three years ago. The roads are broken again. Gridlock clutters the junctions. Mondays fall silent under sit‑at‑home orders. Shops close. Businesses retreat indoors. Public transport becomes stressful and exhausting again. Schools drift further behind the modern world. Healthcare centres struggle to meet basic needs. Hotel Presidential slips back into decay. Rural communities remain cut off by weak infrastructure and poor connectivity,” he said.

He added, “The tech hubs are gone. The innovation ecosystem disappears before it fully matures. Investment dries up. National attention moves elsewhere. International partnerships fade. The state begins losing confidence in itself again. Slowly, quietly, expectations begin shrinking again. How would that feel?”

As the 2027 general election approaches, Mbah cautioned the electorate against complacency, reminding them that they have the power to either preserve or squander the progress achieved. “History is full of people who reached this stage, relaxed too early, and stopped thinking like underdogs. Momentum made them comfortable. Success softened their discipline. They mistook winning a battle for winning the war,” he warned.

He continued, “We cannot afford that mistake. Forces that threaten serious progress never disappear: political brinkmanship, short‑term thinking, financial pressures, geopolitical instability, as well as people more interested in noise, ego, and personal advancement than long‑term results. So, let us gather around what we have begun building here carefully. Let us protect it, strengthen it, campaign for it, bring more people into the fold, and help them understand why this moment matters.”

Earlier in his homily, scholar and Catholic priest Prof. Monsignor Obiora Ike praised Mbah for his achievements and leadership over the last three years, noting that the people of the state were fortunate to have him as governor.

Monsignor Ike said, “God has sent you, Peter, to be the rescuer of our people. We see the things you do and we clap, but we haven’t seen anything yet. The governor is intentional and plans all he does, not with a fire‑brigade approach. The governor is receptive to ideas and to beautiful changes. That is why I drive to my village at Ezeagu from the Amah junction and I don’t see any potholes. And this is happening everywhere in Enugu.”

He added, “I will be flying to Abuja today on Enugu Air. The airline is putting Enugu on the world map because everyone who wants to buy a ticket will know about Enugu. So, we are on the map, not with wounds, but with things that make things happen. Many lives are being touched, not because we have a lot of money, but because there is willpower. An openness to the divine God to say, ‘Use me to change lives.’”

He noted that despite mounting security challenges in Nigeria and worldwide, Governor Mbah has worked hard to keep Enugu safe through political will, investment in technology, and logistical support to security agencies in the state. “Some days and weeks ago, there were shootings around the White House. So, insecurity is global. But Enugu is a place where we can move around. Many states cannot go out on Mondays. But Monday sit‑at‑home is a thing of the past here,” he said.

He urged the governor to ignore cynics, stating, “Whatever they say, we know that this government is one like no other.” He further commended the governor for being a quiet achiever and for his team selection, prioritising competence over politics and clannishness.

Mbah expressed satisfaction that three years after taking office, he has fostered a healthy political atmosphere in the state, citing the recent visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, which brought together current and former leaders of the state.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; former governor Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chief Judge Justice Raymond Ozoemena; Senators Osita Ngwu and Kelvin Chukwu; Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji; former Deputy Governors Dr. Sunday Onyebuchi and Barr. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; members of the Enugu State House of Assembly; Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff to the Governor Barr. Victor Udeh; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; heads of military and paramilitary agencies; members of the Enugu State Executive Council; council chairmen; Grand Patron of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council Igwe Dr. Greg Ugwu; and several other top government functionaries and stakeholders.

Mbah began the day with the inspection of a guard of honour mounted by the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command.