● Chijioke Ogbodo 

OUAGADOUGOU – In the heart of West Africa, a revolution is quietly unfolding – not with weapons or rallies, but with asphalt, shovels, and an unwavering belief in self-reliance. President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has launched the Mebo Initiative, an ambitious infrastructure development project that aims to pave every street in the capital city, Ouagadougou. It is a project rooted in community participation, the use of locally sourced materials, and a bold vision to redefine urban development in Africa.

At first glance, the Mebo Initiative might seem like another government-driven road project. But a closer look reveals a deeper, more transformative agenda. This is not merely about paving roads – it is about paving a new path for an entire nation. And if its early momentum is any indication, it could become a model for other African nations striving for sustainable development.

“Burkina Faso is charting its own course,” said President Traoré at the launch ceremony in Ouagadougou. “We will build our cities with our own hands, using our own resources. The Mebo Initiative is not just about roads; it is about dignity, self-worth, and reclaiming our future.”

The project is set to modernize over 5,000 kilometers of roads, with more than 900 heavy-duty machines already deployed across urban neighborhoods. From bulldozers to road graders, the machinery moves with precision and purpose, reshaping streets that had long been neglected. The noise of construction is now the sound of hope in Ouagadougou.

But what sets the Mebo Initiative apart from countless others that have failed across Africa is its grassroots foundation. Local artisans, engineers, laborers, and small-scale contractors are at the center of the effort. The government has made it a point to reject imported materials in favor of what can be sourced within the country – gravel, cement, and human ingenuity.

Urban planner Idrissa Ouedraogo, who is advising the project, notes: “This is a shift in paradigm. We’re not outsourcing development. We’re building from the inside out. Every stone laid is an investment in our own capacity.”

The Mebo Initiative is already garnering attention beyond Burkina Faso’s borders. Development economists and urbanization experts are watching closely. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has noted the project’s potential to align with its Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reducing urban poverty and improving infrastructure equity.

Africa’s urban population is expected to double by 2050, making the continent the fastest-urbanizing region in the world. But this rapid growth has been met with inadequate planning, poor infrastructure, and a dependence on foreign contractors. President Traoré’s approach could be the antidote – a blueprint for development driven by Africans, for Africans.

“It is a new form of pan-African leadership,” says Dr. Moïse Sanou, a political science lecturer at the University of Ouagadougou. “Traoré’s vision is inspiring because it is grounded in the everyday realities of his people. He is not waiting for foreign aid or global applause. He is acting.”

The symbolism is not lost on the people of Ouagadougou. From taxi drivers to street vendors, there is a growing sense of ownership. “Before, the roads were dusty and full of potholes. Now, our children walk to school with pride,” said Awa Zongo, a resident of the Tanghin district.

President Traoré’s vision is simple but profound: a modern city built by its own people. And in a continent too often defined by imported solutions, that vision carries weight. It challenges African leaders to trust in the capabilities of their own citizens and to develop infrastructure not merely as a necessity, but as an expression of national identity.

The time has come, perhaps, for a continental conversation about indigenous solutions to African problems. The Mebo Initiative is not just Burkina Faso’s story; it is Africa’s challenge and opportunity.

If Africa is to rise, its leaders must begin to think differently – and act boldly. As the Mebo bulldozers clear a new path in Ouagadougou, they are clearing mental roadblocks, too. The message is clear: Africa can build itself. It only needs leaders with the courage to start. GMTNewsng

Nigeria’s journey into the digital age reached a new milestone on Wednesday as the city of Enugu, once famed for its coal deposits, hosted what has been described as the largest technology conference in the country’s history – the 2025 Enugu Tech Festival.

The landmark event, themed “Coal to Code,” attracted thousands of young innovators, tech leaders, and investors from across Nigeria and beyond. Organized by the Enugu State Government, the festival underscored a bold and strategic vision: to reposition Enugu as the next frontier of Africa’s digital transformation.

The event’s significance was not lost on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who delivered an emotionally resonant keynote.

“I have never, never been to a conference on technology in Nigeria that is this big,” Dr. Tijani declared. “I founded the first technology hub in Nigeria, so I know a thing or two when technology people gather. I can assure you that today, you are part of history because we have never seen anything this big in Nigeria before.”

Tijani praised the administration of Governor Peter Mbah for moving “from policy to progress” and pioneering a model of tech-led governance and youth empowerment that other states can emulate.

“Enugu is showing how this should and will be done,” he said. “There is something powerful about your state: the energy, the ambition, the possibilities. Just two years ago, only a few people could imagine this kind of tech momentum. But today, Enugu has not just imagined – Enugu is building it.”

“What is happening today in Enugu is part of something bigger. We are now witnessing a generational rise – not one where people complain and protest, but one where creativity is used to shape the future. Not just with passion, but with precision,” he added.

Calling on both public and private stakeholders to deepen their commitment to Nigeria’s tech future, Dr. Tijani emphasized that progress would require bravery from the government, investment from the private sector, mentorship from experienced professionals, and unwavering leadership.

“Progress is not automatic, but needs all of us. It needs the government to continue to be brave. It needs the private sector to invest deeper. It needs mentors, builders, teachers, and it needs leaders,” he concluded.

For Governor Peter Mbah, the festival is more than a showpiece – it is a manifestation of his administration’s mission to build the most digitally literate and economically productive youth population in the country.

“The power of technology and innovation and what we can accomplish is something that I want the youths to be mindful of,” Governor Mbah said. “We are now talking about an era where people just sit down with great ideas and create platforms that transform entire industries.”

He pointed to global disruptors like Uber, Airbnb, and Tesla as examples of how the digital economy has upended traditional business models – all without the need for owning tangible assets.

“Uber disrupted the city taxi without owning a key. Airbnb disrupted hospitality without owning real estate. Tesla redefined automobiles. That is the power of technology. This shows essentially that technology is where the future is,” he emphasized.

Mbah also highlighted how Enugu has deployed technology to revolutionize public service delivery – from education and security to land administration – positioning the state as a breeding ground for a digital-first economy.

Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, the state’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, captured the historic shift with poetic clarity.

“For decades, our identity was built on coal, a resource that powered Nigeria’s industrial rise. But today, we stand in a different kind of power – the power of knowledge, innovation, and technology.”

Ezeh revealed that the Enugu Tech Festival would now become an annual event, institutionalizing the state’s digital reawakening and cementing its place in Nigeria’s innovation map.

The opening ceremony brought together a constellation of national and state leaders, including the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; two-time former Minister of Power, and Science and Technology respectively, Prof. Bart Nnaji; Chairman of Zinox Technical, Leo Stan Ekeh; and Group Managing Director of Afrinvest, Dr. Ike Chioke, among others.

As the week-long tech celebration unfolds, the eyes of Nigeria – and indeed, the continent – are on Enugu. The Coal City is no longer just a relic of Nigeria’s industrial past. It is emerging as the crucible of its digital future. GMTNewsng

MBURUBU, ENUGU STATE – It was more than a festive gathering in Mburubu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, on Sunday, April 27, 2025. As families celebrated Easter in familiar warmth and communion, the atmosphere transformed into one of profound gratitude and hope – thanks to a multimillion-naira empowerment initiative championed by one of their own, Prince Engr. Lawrence Ezeh, PhD, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology in Enugu State.

The Commissioner, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), chose to mark the season not just with prayers and pleasantries but with purposeful giving. Over ₦30 million in cash grants were distributed among individuals, youth groups, and the seven villages that make up Mburubu. The individual grants were disbursed in three categories: ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000 respectively, while each of the seven villages received ₦1 million. The youth body was empowered with a substantial ₦3 million.

“I came home this Easter to say thank you to my people,” said Prince Ezeh, speaking to newsmen at his residence. “Their support, love, and prayers have brought me this far. It is only natural that I give back – not just in words, but with resources that can uplift homes, ignite businesses, and plant seeds of independence.”

One of the most resonant aspects of the initiative is its human face. Cecilia Okafor, a petty trader and one of the beneficiaries of the ₦300,000 grant, described it as “a miracle.” According to her, “This money will help me expand my provisions shop. Before now, I was borrowing to restock. Now, I can finally breathe.”

At the Commission’s residence, where hundreds gathered to witness the event, joy was etched on the faces of youth leaders, elders, and market women. The chairman of the youth body, Boniface Okeke – himself a recipient of a commuter bus in last December’s phase of the programme – described the empowerment model as “practical and deeply impactful.” He said, “When we received those 10 buses last year, many of us didn’t believe it would transform our lives so fast. Today, most of those buses are already generating income for our members. That’s real empowerment.”

This Easter initiative is not the Commissioner’s first intervention. In December 2024, Engr. Ezeh donated millions in cash, over 200 bags of rice, and the aforementioned commuter buses to boost local mobility and youth entrepreneurship. The consistent roll-out of support indicates a deliberate strategy, not a seasonal gesture.

To development experts, this aligns with global best practices. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasizes that true empowerment is not handout-based but rather “an enabler of economic participation, social inclusion, and civic engagement.” Prince Ezeh’s effort dovetails with this view – merging philanthropy with measurable community impact.

Each of the seven villages – Umudara, Uhuegbe, Uhuagu, Obinagu, Umunafor, Amanator, and Amachi – received ₦1 million each to invest in projects of communal benefit. For village leaders like Chief Joseph Onu, who received ₦500,000 personally, the gesture is not just about money. “This is restoration of dignity,” he said. “When a son of the soil remembers home, not to show power but to lift his people, it is something generations will not forget.”

Beyond the financial figures, the initiative exemplifies the broader vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration in Enugu State. The state government’s “Tomorrow is Here” agenda has consistently emphasized innovation-led development, rural inclusion, and people-centered governance.

“Governor Mbah has always urged us to be the bridge between policy and people,” noted Prince Ezeh. “This empowerment is a reflection of that charge – bringing development to the doorsteps of our communities and restoring hope in governance.”

From a governance standpoint, what is unfolding in Mburubu mirrors the principles behind the World Bank’s Human Capital Project, which advocates that community-based investments in health, education, and economic capacity are the fastest way to break the cycle of poverty. The deliberate targeting of youths, women, and traditional structures reflects this evidence-based approach.

A sense of inclusiveness and equity was palpable. “This is not just for one group or age bracket,” explained Angela Nnaji, another beneficiary representing the women. “I am speaking for hundreds of women who now have a new sense of belonging. Some will go into poultry farming, some tailoring, others trading. Our destinies just took a turn.”

Indeed, what makes the event so compelling is its symbolism. It represents a break from extractive politics to one that rewards social investment. It underscores that leaders can use their platforms not for showmanship but for transformation.

For many in Mburubu, the Easter celebration will be remembered not just for its spiritual significance, but as the moment their collective fortunes began to shift. “We feel seen, we feel valued,” said Chief Onu. “This is not politics; this is progress.”

As dusk settled over the community and residents returned to their homes, voices of children and elders alike echoed one sentiment: “May God bless our son, the Five-Star Prince.”

In Enugu State today, empowerment is not a slogan – it is a lived experience. GMTNewsng