By Sam Nwanze
I am used to writing political, economic and socio-cultural commentaries but not birthdays.
As a journalist, author and public affairs commentator, the other three versions of interventions give no room for display of emotions. You write based on assembled facts, convictions and public perception and interests.
But in tributes especially birthday stuff, you must be careful not to be misunderstood or regarded as a paid agent contracted to burnish the image of the one being eulogised and woe to you if he or she doesn’t deserve such accolades. So, I try as much as possible to dodge this very intricate type of commentary.
I have to lay this background in view of the man I have decided to say one thing or the other about his person and style of governance in the current political dispensation.
His Excellency Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is the man I am in the mood to talk about. He is, as we know, the number one citizen of Enugu state, the occupant of the Lion Building, the Government House of Enugu state.
In the early period of H.E. Governor Chimaroke’s regime (1999-2007), Peter Mbah was one of the “poster boys” (permit me to use those words) of that regime. He served in two sensitive positions, Chief of Staff in 2003 and Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development later.
I was already an editor in one of the national newspapers then. In that position, I followed events in the state closely some of which were very sensitive and unpalatable. But Peter Mbah was one of those who gave that regime commendable administrative front-pedalling packages.
However, my focus here is not about the past but the present Peter Mbah, the governor at 53, the middle age, when wisdom is called upon to take control in human actions and behaviours.
The first time I met Peter Mbah very closely was when he visited my Royal Father H.R.H Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, Ph.D during the campaigns for 2023 elections as governorship candidate of The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I was one of the Community leaders who received him at the Palace.
As a writer I was very conscious of what he was going to say, his general outlook and demeanour.
He was calm, moved in measured steps, spoke in measured but calculated words. He was not given to frivolous promises and the usual “I have arrived” tendencies of many of those who found themselves in such exalted positions. He still maintains those virtues.
Take for example what he did in a Church after he was elected as governor but yet to be sworn-in. In a viral video, he was seen sitted at a place far away from the front pews. Every effort made by the officiating Reverend to usher him to the frontrow seats including kneeling down failed. That was a good signal to show the kind of humble person he is.
His Excellency Peter Mbah is one of the current and first time governors who prepared for the position he currently occupies.
He is said to have made good documentation of what he wants to achieve in office as a governor, first tenure and the final stage if given the opportunity. He was also conscious of the type of people he needed to work with him and made sure he recruited most of such people in spite of political maneuvering and pressures.
From my investigations I discovered that majority of the people of Enugu state, both indegines and other residents, are happy with most of the areas of his interventions so far: security, infrastructure development, education, health, attention to civil servants, revenue generation, amongst others.
His attention to roads both urban and rural, smart school initiative, rural health issues are among the areas that have received his attention more in the past 22 months or thereabout of his administration.
Many people are, however, not happy with his tax administration system. They complain bitterly on what they called “tax burden” by his administration especially, the low income earners.
Water issues in Enugu urban and other local government areas designated as urban areas recently are some of the issues people complain about.
They also plead with the governor to pay attention to agriculture and industrial development, areas that can provide employment to the people.
As someone who is from the state and always in the state where our Foundation’s office is located, I am aware that Mbah’s government is making serious efforts to make the state one of the frontline states in the areas of agriculture and food security.
My wish is that he continues to be guided by God in his decisions, actions and human relations devoid of arrogance of power and authority the way he is currently doing.
Many more fruitful years ahead under God’s grace is my wish to you, Sir.
Nze Sam Nwanze is a journalist and media consultant based in Abuja
