From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s leadership philosophy took centre stage on Friday, May 23, during a public lecture on ethical leadership and development at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Organised by the university and the Ethics, AI, and Higher Education Strategy Team (EAISTRAP), led by Professor Casmir Ani, the event was held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium.
Jude Asogwa, Executive Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, delivered the keynote address, stressing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. “It is not enough for leaders to act with integrity; citizens must also hold them to high standards, ensuring that unethical practices are challenged and corrected,” Asogwa said.
He advocated for community-based monitoring systems to report corruption and mismanagement, calling ethical leadership the foundation of sustainable development.
Representing Governor Mbah, Enugu State Commissioner for Environment, Samuel Ugwu, praised the lecture’s timeliness. “Before his election, His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, had already made his manifesto known to the people, and he promised a new idea of governance, and that idea is disruptive innovation,” Ugwu said.
He noted the administration’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) and ICT to enhance transparency, noting UNN’s AI ethics institute aligns with UNESCO’s ethical AI standards.
Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo, reaffirmed UNN’s commitment to fostering ethical leadership. “UNN, as a premier university, is not only concerned about academic excellence but also about ethics and values that shape good leaders who can steward our nation, states, local governments, and communities,” he said. Ujam also praised Mbah’s infrastructure projects, particularly the Nike–Opi–Nsukka road dualisation.
EAISTRAP Team Leader Professor Casmir Ani commended Asogwa for reflecting Mbah’s “Tomorrow is Here” philosophy through transparency and innovation. He said EAISTRAP focuses on embedding ethical leadership in AI governance and education.
Professor D.N. Eze, event chairman, and Professor Thaddeus Nzeadibe, Dean of Social Sciences, emphasised ethical leadership’s role in Nigeria’s development, with Nzeadibe noting the faculty’s commitment to grooming transformative leaders.