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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
•(Middle) Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State receiving the New Telegraph Governor of the Year 2023 award for restoring security and stability in his state
Governors of Enugu, Lagos and Bauchi states, Dr. Peter Mbah, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and Bala Mohammed, have been honoured with New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award.
The outfit said whereas Mbah was honoured for his in leadership in ending the illegal sit-at-home order and restoring security and stability to the southeastern state, Sanwo-Olu was recognised for driving infrastructure development in Lagos State. Governor Mohammed on his part was chosen for his outstanding achievements in the health infrastructure.
Mbah said he dedicated the award to members of his team and all the security agencies in the state, adding that he reasoned that his vision to grow the state’s economy could be a pipe dream unless he ensured a secure and tranquil environment for business and investment to thrive. Sanwo-Olu on his part, said the award would spur the state government to do more not only in infrastructure development, but also in other sectors of the economy to enhance the living standards and well being of Lagosians.
Presenting the award amid glitz and glamour at a well-attended ceremony at the prestigious Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, on Friday in Lagos, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, Ayodele Aminu, commended both Mbah and Sanwo-Olu for achieving the feats for which they were recognised.
He maintained that “this is because the organisation believes that such benchmarking will galvanise the awardees towards greater productivity and excellence in their chosen fields.”
He expressed happiness that Mbah arrested within a very short period, the debilitating Monday sit-at-home, and the activities of unknown gunmen, and other forms of insecurity that had virtually crippled the state’s economy and cost many lives and property.
“We recall your ambitious target of advancing the state from a $4.4 billion to $30 billion economy. But as you rightly acknowledged upon assumption of office, you cannot achieve these lofty dreams in a state bogged down by insecurity, occasioned by stay-at-home enforcers. This informed your decision to bring the sit-at-home order in the state to an end, effective from June 5, 2023.
“The fact that you achieved this feat within such a short time is an eloquent testimony of your administrative acumen and love for the people of Enugu State.”
Governor Mbah emphasised that by the award, which came early in his government, he and his team had been further commissioned to work harder and do more to better the lots of the state and its people.
“I am particularly humbled that our modest efforts in a very short time of our journey towards Enugu’s greatness are being noticed and that it is already receiving accolades. So I am grateful to the organisers, the Board, the Management and staff of the New Telegraph.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, thanked the Management of the New Telegraph Newspaper for the recognition and award for government efforts at improving infrastructure in the state.
He said: “It is gratifying and nice to be here this evening and for being appreciated for our little efforts in improving Infrastructure in our dear State. I thank the New Telegraph Management for the award which is to appreciate us and in a way to motivate us and other awardees to do more. We will not rest on our oars until we deliver on our campaign promises,” said the governor, adding that many more projects were on the way, waiting for actualisation.
According to a statement by Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser to Bauchi State Governor on Media and Publicity, “this commendable feat highlights the governor’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of the citizens of Bauchi State.
“The recognition is a testament to his exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing the healthcare sub-sector in Bauchi State.”
