Dan Nwomeh

NEW: Governor Mbah presents manifesto scorecard, says Enugu has regained confidence …Recounts challenges inherited in 2023, outlines progress in security, infrastructure, education, economic development Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has rendered an account of his manifesto performance to the people of Enugu State, saying his administration had made substantial progress in restoring Enugu's position as a place where people want to live, work, invest and visit. Mbah recalled that he presented his manifesto at the same venue in October 2022 ahead of the 2023 governorship election, saying the Manifesto Performance Update was in keeping faith with the Citizens Charter (Executive Order 001), which he executed upon his inauguration on May 29, 2023. Speaking at the event themed “Our Commitment to Ndi Enugu: The Journey So Far,” which took place at the Peter Mbah Law Auditorium at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, on Thursday, Mbah recalled the state of affairs at the time he assumed office and outlined his government’s achievements, development priorities and long-term economic ambitions. “Think back to May 2023, when we first assumed office. Think about the condition of our state, the difficulties we faced, and the expectations we had. “There was a time when Monday was no longer an ordinary working day in Enugu. Shops remained closed. Roads were deserted. Parents were afraid to send their children to school. People who depended on their daily earnings had to surrender an entire day's income because others had decided they should remain indoors. That was the reality we inherited. “Our roads were in poor condition. Public services had deteriorated. Many schools were struggling to provide the kind of education our children deserved. Our health facilities needed substantial investment. And Enugu, a city that had once been the natural centre of commercial, political and cultural life across the region, was gradually losing that position. “Businesses were looking elsewhere. Major events were moving to other cities. Our airport had barely two incoming flights a day,” he stated. He, however, said his administration had guided the state to significant progress, highlighting achievements in health, education, tourism, agriculture, transportation and other sectors, and their connections to his 2023 campaign promise to eradicate poverty and grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion. “Today, people are going about their business with a freedom that had been denied to them for far too long. “A trader can plan a full working week. Children can attend school. Businesses can receive customers, move goods and keep their employees working. That security gave us a foundation upon which other changes could begin,” he said. “That is how economic development begins to reach into households and communities. “The changes are visible, and the scale of our ambition is becoming clearer. We should take pride in what has been achieved, while recognising how much remains to be done,” he maintained. He urged the people to seize the opportunity of the moment by rallying around him to continue with the task of building a prosperous future for the state. “This is one moment in the long history of Enugu. This is a moment of extraordinary possibility for our people. And I believe this is the moment we must seize. The work we have begun needs the commitment of all of us. “I ask you to bring your ideas, your skills, your enterprise and your experience into the life of our state. Take an interest in what is happening in your community. Help us identify problems and develop practical solutions. “We have the opportunity to leave something of lasting value to those who come after us: a state with stronger institutions, a more productive economy, better opportunities for its children and communities whose people can take pride in what they have achieved together. That is the Enugu I want us to build,” he concluded. – at Enugu, Nigeria

NEW: Governor Mbah inaugurates Enugu APC Campaign Council, banks on achievements ...Tells party faithful to campaign on performance, be unapologetically APC_ ...Says opposition shallow, has nothing to offer ...Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Madueke, Ogalla, Ezeilo make list Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for Enugu State, expressing strong confidence in a resounding victory for the party in all the 2027 elections. The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, are Vice Chairmen. It is also headlined by an Advisory Council comprising former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo; former military governor of old Anambra State and Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd.); former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; former Minister of Information and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 governorship election in the state, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr.; business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze; Senator Chuka Utazi; and former deputy governors Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Bishop Ralph Nwoye, Dr. Sunday Onyebuchi, and Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, among other high-profile personalities. Chief Charlie Mbah is the Director-General, while Dr. Eric Oluedo will serve as the Secretary-General. Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively. Speaking at the event, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Mbah said his administration had justified the mandate handed to him in 2023, while President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms had greatly stabilised the macroeconomic indicators while also making funds available for the administration to embark on impactful projects across the state on a large scale. He, therefore, urged party faithful to campaign hard on the administration’s achievements and be unapologetically APC in doing so, saying the opposition had nothing but propaganda to offer. The governor said he was gearing up to campaign in each of the 68 Development Centres and also commission at least two projects in each of the 260 political wards in the state. Mbah recalled that the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Momentum Index ranked Enugu as the fastest-improving state, having recorded a Momentum Score of +1.15, the highest by any of the 33 states assessed. He noted that, in terms of Ease of Doing Business, the state, under his leadership, had leaped from 36th out of 37 subnationals in 2023 to sixth position nationally in 2025, according to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) report. “So, you should be proud of Enugu. You should be unapologetically APC. I am really excited because we are going to go to all the 68 Development Centres. I will personally visit all the Development Centres. I will go to the markets with you. “The people of Enugu cannot wait to see us. They are so excited. And as I go, I will also take time to go to every ward to commission both the Smart Green School and the Primary Healthcare Centre. “As I go to every ward and Development Centre, I will commission all projects without exception, the Smart Green Schools and the Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres in all the wards where they are cutting the ribbon. And so, it is indeed my honour and privilege to formally inaugurate this APC Enugu State Campaign Council,” he stated. Mbah, however, reminded them that all the achievements – at Enugu, Nigeria

NEW: FG kicks off $100m Southeast gas pipeline project ...As SEDC seals deal with GasSync, commits $3m ... Tinubu says South East must rise from potential to reality ...Mbah, governors hail Tinubu, pledge support for 400km pipeline The Federal Government, through the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has kicked off a $100 million gas distribution pipeline project to boost industrialisation, attract investments and create jobs in the South East. The 400-kilometre pipeline, designed to connect gas resources to industrial and commercial centres across Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states, has about 150 potential customers identified, with projected demand of 254 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The investment agreement for the project was signed on Tuesday at the South-East Gas Infrastructure Investment and Project Development Ceremony held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, marking a significant step towards establishing a regional gas distribution network. Tinubu, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the project as a strategic investment that would connect the region's natural gas resources to industries, strengthen manufacturing and unlock economic opportunities across the five states. “The Southeast's entrepreneurial spirit is one of Nigeria's greatest economic assets. I have always believed that the prosperity of the Southeast is inseparable from the prosperity of Nigeria,” the President said. He said the project aligned with his administration's commitment to building an integrated regional economy, stressing that gas infrastructure should support industrial development across state boundaries rather than serve isolated markets. “Gas infrastructure must therefore serve industries and markets, not stop at political boundaries. That is the economic logic of regional integration,” he said. The President said the pipeline would benefit manufacturers in Aba, strengthen industrial clusters in Nnewi and Onitsha, attract productive enterprises to Enugu, expand agro-processing and manufacturing in Ebonyi and connect Imo's gas resources to the wider regional economy. He, however, said the ambition extended beyond supplying existing factories to creating the conditions for new industries, industrial parks and investments that had stalled because of unreliable energy supply. “Our ambition is not simply to deliver gas to existing factories. It is to make possible factories that do not yet exist, industrial parks yet to be developed, and investments that have remained on the drawing board because reliable energy was unavailable,” Tinubu said. He described the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as an institution established to deliver measurable development outcomes, urging it to assess its performance by the investments it mobilised, infrastructure it enabled, opportunities it created and lives it improved. The President said the South-East Vision 2050 development framework, supported by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the governors of the region, provided a foundation for coordinated economic growth. He also cited his approval of the South-East Investment Company as part of efforts to attract private capital into strategic development projects, noting that governments could not finance every development ambition from public funds. “This is the model I expect from our development institutions: identify strategic economic opportunities, prepare credible projects, commit public resources responsibly and mobilise private capital at a scale government budgets alone cannot achieve,” he said. Tinubu commended the SEDC for committing $3 million to the gas project and establishing a framework to mobilise additional investments from state governments, institutions and private investors. He said the project's initial phase required approximately $100 million, describing the partnership between public institutions and private investors as – at Enugu, Nigeria

NEW: Enugu traders pledge support for Governor Mbah’s second term, declare “No opposition in our markets …ESMATA president hails end of Monday sit-at-home, market infrastructure, unified tax system as Governor announces cargo terminal, Idodo International Market, direct China imports plans Traders across Enugu State have pledged support for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s re-election, citing his administration’s infrastructure projects, market-friendly policies and efforts to improve the business environment. The traders, under the umbrella of the Enugu State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), made the pledge on Friday during a meeting between the governor and chairmen and secretaries of more than 50 markets across the state. Speaking on behalf of the association, its president, Chief Chinwuba Igwesi, said traders across the 17 local government areas were prepared to support Mbah’s second-term bid, citing improved commercial activities and the administration’s response to their concerns. He commended the governor for restoring normal business activities on Mondays following disruptions caused by the illegal sit-at-home order, which had forced traders to close their shops and suffer substantial losses. He said the return of regular trading had improved business opportunities and helped traders recover lost income. Igwesi also praised the administration for providing transformers to markets with inadequate electricity, asphalting internal market roads, installing solar-powered streetlights and constructing toilet facilities. He further acknowledged the provision of utility vehicles to market leadership, appointments of market leaders into government and pilgrimage opportunities approved for some traders during the year. According to him, Mbah’s business background had given him a practical understanding of traders’ challenges, reflected in policies aimed at strengthening commercial activities and supporting local enterprises. On taxation, Igwesi dismissed rumours of a general tax increase, explaining that the government had unified taxes into a single account. He said traders were willing to meet their tax obligations because they could see development projects and public infrastructure being delivered across the state. He also credited the governor’s directive requiring contractors to purchase construction materials from local suppliers, where available, with boosting patronage and retaining more business transactions within Enugu. The ESMATA president commended the administration’s healthcare investments, recounting a visit to the international hospital project that left him impressed by its scale. He said the development reflected the state’s growing ambitions. Declaring the traders’ political support, Igwesi said Mbah’s performance had strengthened his position ahead of the next governorship election. “When the time comes, your work will speak for you,” he said, adding: “No opposition in Enugu State.” Responding, Mbah thanked the market leaders and pledged to intensify development efforts if re-elected. He announced plans to establish a cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to facilitate goods movement and connect local businesses to international markets. He also disclosed plans for direct cargo operations between Enugu and China, which he said would soon commence, allowing traders to import goods more directly and affordably. The governor highlighted the ongoing construction of the International Market at Idodo, describing it as part of his administration’s strategy to expand commercial infrastructure and create opportunities for traders and investors. He also identified the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, as a key component of efforts to restore the state’s prominence as a centre of national activity. According to him, hosting major conferences and events would generate business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and – at Ozala, Nigeria