Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah has paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of Enugu State for their foresight, courage, and dedication.
He noted that the journey of Enugu was not without challenges — from its early days as Nigeria’s coal city to becoming the administrative hub of the old Eastern Region, and today, an emerging destination for investment and innovation.
Mbah made the remarks on Thursday at the 34th anniversary celebration of the creation of Enugu State, organised by the Enugu State Development Association (ESDA) at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, the governor said the anniversary was not just about history but also about celebrating progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, and governance.
He stressed that the collective dream of the people of Enugu was to build a state that could stand tall globally — a state where no child is left out of school; where governance is responsive, accountable, transparent, and people-oriented; where industries thrive on knowledge and innovation; and where tourism and hospitality open doors to the world.
Mbah, however, decried the low turnout at the event, blaming it on the absence of local government chairmen and other key stakeholders.
He commended ESDA for its steadfastness and resilience in organising the anniversary annually.
In his remarks, the President of ESDA, Igwe Abel Nwobodo, represented by former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Gabriel Aja, thanked the state government for its continued support towards the success of the event.
Enugu State was created on August 27, 1991, by the then Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.
