From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
A Professor of Economics and former Director of the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof Osita Ogbu has urged the people of Enugu State to embrace Governor Peter Mbah’s mantra of “Tomorrow is here” for the rapid development of the state.
Ogbu said this in Nsukka yesterday in a remark during a Dialogue Series, tagged: “H.E Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Administration: The Journey So Far (Education, Politics And Security),” organised by the Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial District Chapter, held at Adada hall Nsukka LGA.
He said the mantra aiming at rapid development of every part of Enugu state should not be left to the governor alone rather everybody should be involved especially the local government council chairmen.
“Everybody must be involved, especially LG Council Chairmen to replicate the rapid development the governor is doing at the state level in all the seventeen local government areas of the state.
“Mbah is running people-oriented and inclusive governance as all districts have been benefiting immensely in his developmental strides.
“The governor is fulfilling his promises to the people; he promised on the assumption of office that we would develop every part of Enugu State irrespective of party affiliation,” he said.
The former Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo noted that the governor had done so well that he had grown the state economy from N30b annually when he met it to N600b within two years he assumed office.
“Enugu State is now among the three states in the country that can survive without the Federal monthly revenue allocation because of the increase in state internally generated revenue.
“Good and visionary leaders like Mbah in the world serve the people and not their pockets,” he said.
Speaking Chief Dennis Agbo, representing Igboeze-North/Udenu Federal Constituency, said the good performance of Mbah in the state within two years was what persuaded him to return to the People Democratic Party (PDP).
Agbo, who recently dumped the Labour Party to join PDP, commended Mbah’s good leadership and developmental strides in the state.
He urged the residents of the state to continue to give the governor their maximum support to enable him to achieve his administration’s mission of making Enugu State the best in the country.
Speaking on issues of security, Major-Gen. Victor Ezugwu (rtd) applauded Mbah on various measures he had been using to ensure adequate security in the state.
Ezugwu disclosed that the meeting with retired security officers from Enugu North Senatorial District held recently with the governor gave them insight into Mbah’s administration’s effort on security as well as step-by-step technologies being deployed to ensure the safety of the people in the state, especially in Enugu North district.
“We are happy with the measures put in place by the Mbah’s administration to ensure adequate security,” he said.
According to Ezugwu, the governor said monthly stipends for Neighbourhood Vigilante and Forest Guards in the state would be increased soon to N70,000 to boost their morale as well as make them more dedicated to their duties.
However, Ezugwu advised the governor to consider deploying satellite monitoring technology security devices to cover every part of the state, especially security flash points like Uzowani LG and Isi-Uzo LG areas.
Speaking, Dr Chinyere Onyeisi, a Special Assistant to the State Governor on Education/ Director of Exponential Learning, Enugu Smart Green School, said the smart schools of Gov Mbah had revolutionised education in the state and made it possible for children from the state to be able to compete with their counterparts globally.
“Gov.Mbah has a special love for the education of our children, this is why the governor has been given the education sector the highest budget allocations since he assumed office as well as the building of smart schools in the 260 political wards in Enugu State.
“Everybody in the state is happy with the rapid development in education as well as other sectors in the state just within two years Mbah administration came on board.
“Today’s education has shifted from content memorisation to creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving approaches because of technology and digital learning,” she said.
Earlier, Chief Chinedu Onu, the Coordinator of the event expressed appreciation to everybody especially the stakeholders in the district for coming out in their numbers to attend the function, adding that the dialogue series was to review the performance of Mbah since his assumption of office.
“Enugu North Senatorial District has benefitted immensely from the present administration of Mbah more than any other district in the state.
“I am happy the district is playing developmental politics because Mbah has done much for Enugu State and we will continue to support his administration in appreciation of his good performance,” he said.
Ansar-ud-Deen Society congratulates Pope Leo XIV, felicitates with the Nigerian Catholic Church.
The Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Catholic community in Nigeria and globally on the successful completion of the Papal Conclave and the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV.
In a statement signed by the National President, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, FCArb, the society described the election of Robert Prevost, the first Pope from the Americas, as a truly historic moment, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Catholic Church.
According to Kazeem, this historic moment signifies not only the continuity of apostolic leadership but also reaffirms the unity, faith, and resilience of the global Catholic Church.
His words: “We commend the Catholic faithful in Nigeria for their steadfast prayers, unwavering devotion, and commitment to the spiritual well-being of the Church throughout this sacred process.
“As the Catholic community in Nigeria joins the universal Church in welcoming the new Pontiff, we pray that his papacy will be blessed with wisdom, humility, and a deep dedication to the mission of peace, justice, and service to all humanity. May his leadership inspire renewed hope, strengthen faith, and advance the work of the Gospel both in Nigeria and across the world.
While the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria remains committed to fostering interfaith harmony and understanding, in the spirit of interfaith harmony, the Ansar-ud-Deen Society invokes the words of the Qur’an:
“… And you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers are those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:82).
“May Almighty Allah continue to bless the Catholic Church in Nigeria, strengthen the bonds of peace between our communities, and grant abundant grace to Pope Leo XIV as he leads the flock of Christ with compassion and justice.”