•••Under Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and in the past three months, things have really changed and events are turning around for good. It is now 'Business Unusual.'
By Gwiyi Solomon Ejikeme
Since bestriding the scene as Enugu's Helmsman, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of our dear State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has successfully carried out key strategic governmental decisions, aimed at ensuring that the Cardinal objective of his administration which is anchored on "making Enugu one of the top three states in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Products, and achieve a 0% rate in the poverty headcount index" is actualized within the lifespan of his term.
Following this road map, Dr Mbah has dedicatedly and most defiantly, in the very best interest of the state, stuck to his guns of hiring tested professionals with proven records of excellence from different walks of life, and particularly, those who complement his governing philosophy of transparency in governance, traceability, accountability, disruptive innovation, optimal performance, participatory monitoring and evaluation.
To lead the pack and ensure a total paradigm shift from what was conventional in the state, the governor, had shopped and invited new, fresh, trusted and enterprising personalities all together, to assist him in the daunting task of rejigging the political system, repositioning and leading the state aright. This reader will agree with me that most of Dr. Peter Mbah's appointees are youths, professionals and technocrats with proven records of class, who are not only admired by their observers globally, but are leaders and captains in their own rights.
This is in itself, an entirely different world and system for Ndi Enugu who were almost becoming used to recycled political class since 1999. Although, the new development was anticipated from the day Gov. Peter Mbah was handed the ticket of the people's Democratic party, PDP, sometime in May, 2022; especially when he boldly declared that his government would be BUSINESS UNUSUAL.
From that standpoint, Dr. Peter Mbah has never hidden his plans to revolutionize and industrialize the state, with his mind-blowing programs, which were carefully fussed together in his generally celebrated manifesto which serves as a guide to his term in office.
However, what is unsettling many political actors in the state is Governor Peter Mbah's obsession and passion for working with young and innovative minds who are drawn from the East, West, South and Northern parts of the universe, without prejudice, racial, ethnic or religious segregations.
A living example of the analogy above was his appointment of Mr. Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, an award-winning journalist, as Managing Director of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS). Until his own appointment in the state, Ladi, a Yoruba born renowned broadcaster was the Controller, Current Affairs at Channels Television in Lagos State.
Ladi, for his distinction in media practice, had been decorated with multiple awards which include "being the Nigeria Media Merit Award winner of Television Presenter and Reporter of the Year in 2001, Diamond Award for Media Excellence as Reporter of the Year in 2004, as well as Nigeria Media Merit Award Programme Presenter of the Year 2019.
He was quoted to have garnered over 30 years experience in the practice of his profession and was also Director General and Chief Executive of Ondo State Radio and Television Corporation between March, 2009 and February, 2017.
As Governor in hurry to see that the State JumpStarts and begin to compete favorably with its peers across the globe, reports also reveal that a handful of foreign experts, have been drafted by the governor to spearhead the move that would catalyze into general cleaning and revamping of ailing areas in the state such as water supply, agricultural revolution and proper waste management system.
To further add bite to this noble and lofty goal, particularly on his avowal to move our GDP from 4 to 30 billion US dollas, the Governor has skilfully and strategically selected and appointed men and women of admirable profiles as commissioners of different ministries, to help him in driving the wheels of governance.
Those appointed to lead the charge in transforming different facets of the state as Commissioners include Prof Samuel Chijioke Ugwu, Environment and Climate Change; Ajogwu, Sunday Emeka, Special Duties; Dr Felix Nnamani, Water Resources; Prof Ndubueze Mbah, Education; Mrs Ngozi Enih, Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development; Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Lands and Urban Development; Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization and Pharm. Chika Ugwoke, Labour and Employment.
Other are: Dr Kingsley Udeh, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Prof Emmanuel Obi, Health; Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; Dame Ugochi Madueke, Culture and Tourism; Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, Youth and Sports; Engr. Gerald Otiji, Works and Infrastructure; Nathaniel Uramah, Finance and Economic Development; Dr Malachy Agbo, Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Mr Aka Eze Aka, Information; Adaora Chukwu, Trade Investment and Industry; Dr Martin Chinweike, Housing and Obi Ozor, Transport
The governor had earlier before nominating the commissioners above approved other key and strategic political appointments such as: Professor Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary to the State Government; Barr. Victor Udeh, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Ken Chukwuegbo, Principal Secretary; Kenneth Ugwu, Head of Service; Tony Okenwa, State Accountant General; Ms. Angela Nnamani, Executive Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service; Prof. Linda Obiamaka Egbo, Special Adviser, Public Financial Management; Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Dubem Onyia (Jr), Special Adviser, Donor Relations; Mike Ogbuekwe, Special Adviser, Agriculture and Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, Special Adviser, Legal;
Others are: Fred Nnajiofor, Chief of Protocol; Osita Onuma, Senior Advisor, Digital Transformation, Technology, Innovation, Industries of the Future and Industrial Strategy; Ozurumba Elechi Afigbo, Senior Special Assistant, Delivery Unit; Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant, Mainstream Media; Reuben Onyishi, Senior Special Assistant, New Media; Uche Anichukwu, Senior Special Assistant, External Relations; Barr. Juliet Okonkwo, Senior Special Assistant, Legal and Inter-ministerial; Mrs. Loiusa Chinedu-Okeke, Senior Special Assistant, Policy and Project Management; Vincent Onyeabor, Senior Special Assistant, Security Matters; Nonso Nwankwo, Senior Special Assistant , ICT; Mrs. Adenike Okebu, Senior Special Assistant, Revenue; Dan Chukwuma, Senior Special Assistant, Protocol; Barr. Joshua Ejeh, Special Assistant, Research and Publication; Mrs. Sandra Chinweuba George, Special Assistant, Revenue Generation and Monitoring
Ndi Enugu, this is however, our takeoff point. Indeed, our tomorrow is here!
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Mbah at 100, and Congratulations to Ndi Enugu!!
Let the music flow.
Gwiyi Solomon wrote from Uzo Uwani LGA ofEnugu state.
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