Governor Peter Mbah has marked his third anniversary in office with a thanksgiving mass, reflecting on Enugu’s transformation in education, healthcare, infrastructure, security and investment while urging citizens to safeguard the progress achieved.
Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has expressed profound gratitude to the people of the state for their support and prayers over the past three years, declaring that the remarkable transformation witnessed across Enugu would not have been possible without the collective efforts of civil servants, government officials, religious leaders, and citizens.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving Mass held at the Government House Chapel, Enugu, on Friday to mark the third anniversary of his administration, Mbah reflected on the journey that began on May 29, 2023, when he took the oath of office and signed the Citizens’ Charter, describing it as a defining moment in rebuilding trust between government and the people.
The governor recalled that when he assumed office, many residents viewed government promises with skepticism due to years of unmet expectations. He, however, said his administration was determined to restore public confidence through service delivery and tangible development.
“Three years ago, after taking the oath of office at Okpara Square, I signed the Citizens’ Charter. The Charter was about trust. It was about rebuilding faith in public office and creating a service-centred mindset by government for the people of this state,” Mbah said.
According to him, much of what has now become visible across the state existed only as ideas, plans and convictions at the beginning of the administration, requiring faith and patience from the people before results could emerge.
The governor painted a picture of what he described as a new Enugu, highlighting major strides in education, healthcare, transportation, technology, infrastructure and investment.
He pointed to smart schools equipped with digital learning facilities, healthcare centres bringing quality medical services closer to communities, improved road networks connecting urban and rural areas, and the introduction of air-conditioned Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses with internet connectivity to ease transportation challenges.
Mbah also cited the revival of iconic state assets such as the International Conference Centre and Hotel Presidential, as well as the launch of Enugu Air, which he said would further enhance connectivity and economic growth.
“Take a flight on Enugu Air to Lagos, Abuja, Kano today and tomorrow, the world. Connectivity changes the psychology of a place. It changes how people see themselves and how the world sees them too,” the governor stated.
Reflecting on the challenges encountered during implementation of the administration’s development agenda, Mbah said the public often sees only the completed projects while remaining unaware of the extensive planning, negotiations, policy formulation and strategic thinking that precede every achievement.
He specifically referenced the long-standing legal disputes surrounding Hotel Presidential, noting that his administration refused to allow bureaucratic delays to hinder progress.
“By the time we came into office, the matter had already been trapped in legal processes for years. It would have been easy to leave it there and move on to easier things, but that building mattered symbolically to the state. It represented pride, confidence and economic possibility,” he said.
The governor stressed that the administration’s accomplishments should not be viewed merely as isolated projects but as part of a broader effort to fundamentally reposition the state for long-term prosperity.
“What we are doing here cannot be understood simply as a collection of projects. We are rebuilding the operating system of this state. A different future is being constructed layer by layer—economically, culturally and institutionally,” Mbah declared.
He noted that Enugu was gradually shedding its history of limited expectations and embracing a culture of ambition, innovation and competitiveness, with young people increasingly seeing opportunities within the state and investors showing renewed confidence in its economy.
While celebrating the progress achieved so far, the governor cautioned that the journey was still at an early stage and required continued commitment from all stakeholders.
Mbah emphasized that the administration’s slogan, “Tomorrow Is Here,” must evolve from a government initiative into a shared responsibility embraced by every resident of the state.
“Tomorrow Is Here can no longer remain government’s project alone. It belongs to Ndi Enugu. The future of this state cannot depend permanently on one administration or one political moment. It must become rooted in public culture,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next electoral cycle, the governor urged citizens to remain vigilant and committed to protecting the gains already recorded, warning against complacency and forces that could derail progress.
“History is full of people who reached this stage, relaxed too early and stopped thinking like underdogs. Momentum made them comfortable. Success softened their discipline. They mistook winning a battle for winning the war. We cannot afford that mistake,” he warned.
He identified political brinkmanship, short-term thinking, economic pressures and self-serving interests as some of the threats capable of undermining sustained development, calling on residents to rally around the vision for a greater Enugu.
The governor concluded by urging the people to safeguard the foundations already laid and continue supporting initiatives aimed at ensuring future generations inherit a stronger, more prosperous and globally competitive state.
“Let us protect it. Let us strengthen it. Let us campaign for it. Let us bring more people into the fold and help them understand why this moment matters. Because Tomorrow is Here,” Mbah said.
The thanksgiving service was attended by government officials, religious leaders, civil servants and other stakeholders who joined the governor in celebrating three years of his administration.
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