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Tag: Peter Mbah

  • Gov Mbah has no intention of leaving PDP – Chairman

    Gov Mbah has no intention of leaving PDP – Chairman

    Dr Martin Chukwunwike, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State, says Gov. Peter Mbah has no intention of leaving the PDP for another party.

    Chukwunwike disclosed this in Nsukka on Thursday during an interactive session with the party wards and local government executives in Enugu North Senatorial District.

    He said the clarification had become necessary following speculations in some sections of the media that Mbah was planning to join another political party.

    “Gov. Mbah, the leader of PDP in Enugu State and all of us are still in PDP. The governor has no intention to join another political party.

    “The governor is still flying the flag of PDP, I urge party members in the state and the general public to disregard this unfounded and baseless speculations,” he said.

    The chairman said the party executives were in Nsukka to interact with the PDP local governments and ward chairmen to appreciate their support to Gov. Mbah’s administration.

    “The party is happy that the zonal executives in the North Senatorial District have always given maximum support to the governor and the party executive.

    “Gov. Mbah is transforming the state with huge infrastructures in every political ward.

    “All Enugu State residents are happy, the state has a smart, intelligent and performing governor, who is utilising available resources judiciously and equitably,” he said.

    Mr Fabian Onah, the Zonal Party Chairman of Enugu North Senatorial District, said that Mbah, since assumption of office in the past two years, had done very well.

    He noted that what the governor had done within two years outweighed what some governors did in eight years in the state.

    Onah listed some of the achievements of the governor to include the building of smart schools, Type 2 hospital, construction of roads in all political wards and empowering people, among others.

    “Our governor has done very well, that’s why we have all agreed to reward his good work with second tenure.

    “Gov Mbah should not waste his time coming to Nsukka to campaign for his second tenure because Nsukka people have  benefitted mostly from his administration,” Onah said.

    Chief Ferdinand Ukwueze, the Chairman of Igboeze-South Local Government thanked the state executive for the interactive forum with zonal, LG and ward executives.

    Ukwueze, who is Deputy Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, said the people should count themselves lucky to have Gov. Mbah as their governor.

    Earlier, Chief Jude Asogwa, the host chairman and Chairman of Nsukka Local Government, said Nsukka people would continue to support the administration of Mbah because they had benefited immensely from it.

    The highlight of the occasion was the endorsement of Gov. Mbah for second term by the ward and chairmen of the six local governments in the district come 2027.

  • Gov Mbah free to join APC – ex-DG VON

    Gov Mbah free to join APC – ex-DG VON

    Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, says Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State is wholeheartedly welcomed to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of APC, said this in a statement in Enugu on Monday issued on behalf of the APC Foundation Members in Enugu State and South-East.

    The statement reacted to a statement against Gov. Mbah’s liberty to join APC attributed to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at a meeting in Enugu on Sunday.

    Okechukwu quoted Nnaji as saying: “Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.”

    According to him, we the foundation members of APC wish to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, and his group are wholeheartedly welcomed to APC Enugu State in accordance with the standard convention of our great party.

    “Gov. Mbah and his group should not be scared by anybody,” he said.

    Okechukwu said that APC members are at a loss “why Nnaji, who himself is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is chasing away the exceptionally performing Gov. Mbah”.

    “For we, the foundation members, Gov. Mbah should disregard our dear brother Chief Nnaji, because we want to win Lion Building for the first time and join 23 other states to guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2027,” he said.

    He advised Nnaji to pay more attention to his ministry.

    “Otherwise, we will not allow Chief Nnaji who came distant fourth with 14,575 votes in the gubernatorial election and fouled atmosphere for President Tinubu with 4,722 in the 2023 presidential election to rubbish APC again,” Okechukwu said.

  • Gov Mbah swears-in 6 new Commissioners, Head of Service, reassigns others

    Gov Mbah swears-in 6 new Commissioners, Head of Service, reassigns others

    Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reshuffled his cabinet, swearing-in new Head of Service, six new Commissioners and reassigned three others.

    Mbah also assigned portfolios to the new appointees following the administration of Oath of Office on them by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Ms Chizoba Ogbodo, at the Government House, Enugu on Wednesday.

    The newly sworn-in appointees included Godwin Anigbo, Head of Service; Mr Benjamin Okoh, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Bernadette Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication and Enyinna Ogbonna, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Others are Dr Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Prof. George Ugwu, Commissioner for Health and Mr Ben Collins Ndu Jr., who was designated as the Commissioner for Water Resources.

    Dr Felix Nnamani was reassigned from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Labour and Employment as Commissioner and Dr Malachy Agbo was reassigned from the Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication to the Ministry of Information.

    The former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Gerald Otiji, was reassigned as the Commissioner for Housing.

    Speaking the swearing-in, Mbah charged the appointees to hit the ground running, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period for them.

    He said the administration had in two years steered high expectations among the people of the state as well as Nigerians in general and could not lower its performances across sectors.

    “You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people and everyday it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard.

    “Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately,” he said.

    The governor further charged the appointees to work as a team, in line with the established cultures of the administration.

    “We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team.

    “We believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.

    “Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts,” he advised.

    Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for finding them worthy out of the many other highly qualified Enugu citizens and beyond, assuring him that they would not let him down.

    “Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty as you make history on a daily basis, we will keep faith with our Oath of Office.

    “We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.

    The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh.

    Others are commissioners and senior appointees of government as well as the spouses of the appointees.

    The four commissioners who were dropped include Mrs Adaora Chukwu (Trade and Investment), Mr Chika Ugwuoke (Labour), Dr Ikechukwu Obi (Health) while Dr Martin Chukwunwike is the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Enugu govt told to call housing development corporation to order

    Enugu govt told to call housing development corporation to order

    A group known as Concerned Citizens for Transparent Urban Development has called on the Enugu State Government to call the State’s housing development corporation to order.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barr. Philip Ikechukwu Ogbodo made the call in a statement on Tuesday on behalf of the Concerned Citizens for Transparent Urban Development.

    Ogbodo noted that the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) in recent years has degenerated into a cesspool of reckless land acquisition, gross underdevelopment, and managerial impunity, posing a looming disaster if left unchecked.

    “It has become necessary to urgently draw the attention of the general public, stakeholders in urban development, and, most importantly, the administration of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to the alarming decay, brazen impunity, and institutionalized rascality that have become the operational signature of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) in recent years.

    “Once a beacon of excellence and strategic urban planning, the ESHDC has now degenerated into a cesspool of reckless land acquisition, gross underdevelopment, and managerial impunity, posing a looming disaster if left unchecked.

    “A typical and troubling example is the so-called Blossom Estate—an expansive tract of land acquired and promoted by the Corporation under the guise of residential development.

    “However, years have passed, and not a single meaningful development has been executed on the site.

    “What now stands in place is a barren, neglected expanse—a time bomb waiting to explode into legal, social, and urban chaos. This is not just poor planning; it is institutional negligence at its peak,” he stated.

    Ogbodo stressed that in the past two years, the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation has become a shadow of its former self.

    “The Corporation, which was once a reliable engine for organized housing delivery, has now become synonymous with inertia and mediocrity.

    “The roads in their so-called estates are in terrible condition, with no trace of asphalt surfacing, no basic infrastructure, and no proof of professional project execution anywhere under their purview.

    “How can an agency responsible for structuring the residential future of our people be so recklessly mismanaged? How can lands running into hectares be acquired and warehoused for years, contributing nothing to the housing stock, infrastructure, or social development of Enugu State?

    “What is worse is that this level of abandonment and dereliction appears to be deliberate. There is zero accountability, zero community engagement, and zero visible leadership.

    “The entire system reeks of internal compromise and a total breakdown of professional standards. Those at the helm of affairs in the Corporation must answer critical questions about the misuse of public land, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver on core housing mandates,” Ogbodo stated.

    He called on the State Governor to order a full forensic audit of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation’s projects and finances over the past two years; and suspend further land acquisition activities by the Corporation, pending proper accountability and planning.

    Ogbodo also called on Governor Mbah to dissolve and restructure the leadership of the ESHDC with immediate effect; and establish an Independent Review Panel made up of estate professionals, civil society organizations, and community representatives.

    He stressed that the State Government should ensure that all undeveloped lands are either reclaimed or returned to productive use within a legally mandated time frame.

    “The time to act is now. If this crisis is not addressed with the urgency it demands, Enugu State risks sinking deeper into a housing disaster that may take years and billions to correct.

    “The people of Enugu deserve better. Our urban future cannot be mortgaged to incompetence, greed, and disregard for developmental integrity.

    “Let this serve as a final wake-up call to all concerned. The land belongs to the people. The responsibility to develop it must not be abused,” Ogbodo stated.

  • Gov Mbah pardons 11 inmates in Enugu

    Gov Mbah pardons 11 inmates in Enugu

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted  pardon to 11 inmates in Enugu aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the state.

    Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to Mbah on External Relations, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Enugu.

    Anichukwu said that the gesture was a step towards giving the beneficiaries another opportunity to live a better life as members of the society.

    He said the beneficiaries of the clemency were conveyed to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, by the Chief of Staff to Mbah, Mr Victor Udeh.

    According Anichukwu, the beneficiaries are Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, and Ngene Oluebube.

    Others are Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.

    He explained that the governor’s decision was in exercise of his Prerogative of Mercy powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Anichukwu said: “It was also in consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

    “The decision was in concordance with reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with the society having possessed or learnt some productive skills.

    “It followed the recommendations by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    “The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy draws membership from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable justice sector institutions.”

  • Enugu governor, Mbah mourns late Mike Ejeagha’s demise

    Enugu governor, Mbah mourns late Mike Ejeagha’s demise

    Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has reacted to the passing of highlife legend and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, describing his death as a devastating cultural loss and a void that would be difficult to fill.

    Ejeagha, best known for his rich storytelling through music and hit tracks like “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo”, died on Friday at the age of 95 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

    In a statement posted via his verified social media handle, @PNMbah, the governor paid glowing tribute to the Enugu-born music icon, praising his humility and far-reaching influence.

    He wrote, “I’m profoundly saddened by the death of music icon, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.

    “Mike Ejeagha was a legend, a cultural ambassador and a revered son of Enugu State.

    “He was one of the finest musicians of his generation with an easygoing personality and humility that belied his towering celebrity status.

    “I will always cherish fond memories of the time spent in his company – the warmth and wisdom he radiated; the joy he found in the ordinary.

    “This is a loss not only for his immediate family; it’s a big loss for Enugu State, the entire music community, and the country as well.

    “Ejeagha’s immense talent and genius lay in how he took simple indigenous folktales and turned them into unforgettable songs that resonate across cultures.

    “Ejeagha’s fan-base transcended boundaries. He was easily one of the most recognisable voices in music.

    “His death leaves a huge void that will be difficult to fill. But the legacies he has left behind will last a lifetime.

    “On behalf of the Enugu State government, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Ejeagha family, and assure them of our support.

    “As a government, we would ensure that his memory is duly immortalized.

    “Above all, I pray that his family experiences the comforting grace of God’s love, and the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Gov Mbah goes tough on native doctors in Enugu

    Gov Mbah goes tough on native doctors in Enugu

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has transmitted an Executive Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors and herbalists in the state.

    Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on External Relations made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu.

    He said that the proposed legislation was entitled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order”.

    Anichukwu said that the bill also outlawed money rituals otherwise known as ‘Okite’, criminal bulletproof charms, also known as ‘odeshi.’

    According to him, the bill equally outlaws illegal use or occupation of forests and property for criminal activities.

    “By the provisions of Section 3 (1) of the bill, “every person, who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, shall be registered with the Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.”

    “The registration include the native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation.

    “Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two-year imprisonment or both,” Anichukwu said.

    He added that section 15 of the proposed legislation provides that “any spiritualist that administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person, for the purpose of invincibility commits an offence

    Others include charms for protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence and acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful means of livelihood.

    Anichukwu said such a spiritualist was liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six years or to a fine of not less than N5 million or both.

    “Any person, who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public into believing so, for the purpose of gaining reward or influence, commits an offence.

    “The person shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or to a fine of not less than three million naira (N3,000,000), or both,” Anichukwu said.

    He said the proposed bill further provided that where a person claimed spiritual powers under this law, “the burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.

    “It provides six years of imprisonment or a fine of N5 million or both against anyone, who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious place, for the commission or facilitation of a crime.

    “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence.

    “He or she shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years without the option of a fine,” he said..

    Anichukwu said: “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be handed over to security official.

    He explained that money, property and other proceeds of theft, robbery, kidnapping, among others were to be forfeited to the Enugu State Government, unless a lawful and verifiable owner claims it within a reasonable time.

  • 13-year-old girl rescued from ritualist offered scholarship

    13-year-old girl rescued from ritualist offered scholarship

    Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has offered scholarship to 13-year-old, Ukamaka Okonkwo, rescued from alleged ritualist and kidnapper dungeon, Obi-Levi Obieze, at Ndiagu Umumba in Ezeagu Council Area of Enugu State.

    Mrs Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Sunday.

    The commissioner said the scholarship would see Okonkwo through her education from her present class to the university.

    She added that the state government had moved her to a government facility for therapy and rehabilitation as a way of helping her overcome the trauma she must have passed through.

    Enih said: “We travelled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu Council Area, today at the governor’s instance to meet with parents of Ukamaka.

    “The visit is to bring her to Enugu where she will undergo the necessary therapy and be fully rehabilitated. You can imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have passed through.

    “So, the government wants to ensure that she bounces back fully in the shortest possible time.

    “Therefore, the Ministry of Children,Gender Affairs and Social Development, will be responsible for providing therapies and counselling to her before reintegrating her back into the society.

    “This is just a way of reassuring her and her parents that they are not alone and to equally put smiles on their faces.

    “Government wants to ensure that she fulfils her glorious destiny because this is a destined child,” she said.

    The Commissioner disclosed that government delegation also visited Mr Theophilus Ezih and Mrs Chinenye Ezih, parents of the deceased boy, Chimaobi Ezih, at Agba Umana in same Ezeagu Council Area.

    “The essence is to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident. We share their pains,” she stated.

    She, however, said that the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the Ndiagu Umumba dungeon was yet to be identified to be able to trace her relatives.

    Enih promised that the government and the relevant security were working on it, maintaining that all the culprits would be brought to book.

    “As you are well aware, this is a government that has zero tolerance for crime. Government has already demolished the property linked to these dastardly acts in line with extant laws of Enugu State.

    “The police and other security agencies are working with the government to track down and bring back those still at large to face justice.

    “That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes,” she said.

  • Gov Mbah speaks on having frequent sleepless nights over governance issue

    Gov Mbah speaks on having frequent sleepless nights over governance issue

    Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, has stated that he consistently considers the impact of his decisions on the people of the state.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Mbah said this while speaking on Thursday at the second anniversary of his administration stated that the weight of the decision he has to make in governing the people of Enugu frequently gives him sleepless nights.

    Mbah also said he has a duty to develop and transform the state, and while making tough governance decisions, he often pauses to consider the effect of his decisions on the people.

    He said, “Change seeks no permission; it moves through persistence. We choose action over comfort. Sometimes, progress over popularity. Real change is not fanciful. It is hard, it resists, and sometimes it tests our faith.

    “There have been nights I barely slept because of the weight of the decision we must make. There are days I pause not from indecision but from compassion.

    “I’m contstantly thinking, how will this decision affect the people? Have we thought through the consequences? It is part of the burden of leadership. Development is necessary, but it does not come with easy choices. We were not promised ease, only the chance to serve, and so we pressed on, knowing that the first step towards transformation was into the unknown with only the light of our vision as our guide. We chose to act swiftly because we have no luxury of time.”

  • Enugu Governor is pacesetter in education – Dakuku Peterside

    Enugu Governor is pacesetter in education – Dakuku Peterside

    Turnaround expert and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Dakuku Peterside says the Governor of Enugu, Dr Peter Mbah deserves being honoured for his commitment and contributions to education  sector development.

    Peterside stated this against the backdrop of conferment of honorary doctorate degree (PhD-Honoris Causa) on the Enugu State  governor by Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    The former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) stressed that the honorary doctorate degree is a testament to the remarkable contributions and achievements Governor Peter Mbah in the education sector.

    He disclosed that the governor has invested heavily in about 260 smart schools, in addition to massive interventions in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the transformation of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUST) and Institute of Management Technology (IMT), among others.

    According to him, Governor Mbah’s dedication, leadership, and impact have inspired several individuals.

    “Dr Peter Mbah’s commitment to excellence and tireless efforts have elevated Enugu State to the status of a model state. This honorary degree is a celebration of his legacy and a reflection of the profound respect and admiration he has earned from the academic community and beyond.

    “He introduced a paradigm shift by emphasizing experiential learning and constructing 260 Smart Green Schools across the state. These schools integrate modern technology and provide a seamless transition from primary to secondary education, aiming to enhance vocational and tertiary education.

    “Smart schools where  pupils and students are utilizing digital tools and resources, which enhances learning experiences and accommodates various learning styles.

    “Additionally, Enugu allocates a significant portion of its budget to education, further solidifying its commitment to educational excellence.

    “In a few short periods of less than two years, Governor Peter Mbah has effected a revolution in education, agriculture, road construction, local economy, and tourism in the state,” he stated.