NOVEMBER RENDEZVOUS WITH GOVERNOR PETER NDUBUISI MBAH

– Prince Ekene Nwanjoku.

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah spent the month of November in the thick of national engagements, state-building efforts, diplomatic partnerships, and a deepening interaction with the people he serves.

The month opened with a symbolic moment in Yenagoa as Governor Mbah stood alongside APC governors to welcome Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri into the party. The reception of the Beyalsa Governor into the party was a signal of the evolving alliances shaping the future of Nigeria. Recall that just a few months ago, Governor Mbah himself had aligned with the APC in a courageous move to ride on the stability, focus and vision of the party to contribute his quota towards the unity, progress, and the bold reimagining of national development.

Governor Mbah’s remarks at the Bayelsa event captured this spirit: “Progress demands partnership, and transformation thrives on shared purpose.” This was a reminder that the politics of tomorrow is coalition-driven, vision-rooted, and people-focused.

Furthermore, if November had a defining theme, it was security reform. I believe so because of how committed the Governor was in taking up such an urgent national work. First in Lagos, Governor Peter Mbah, as Chairman of the National Economic Council Committee on the Overhaul of Security Training Institutions, began a nationwide inspection of Nigeria’s overstretched and outdated security training facilities. Alongside fellow governors and security leaders, he initiated what may become one of the most consequential reforms under the current administration.

“You cannot build a 21st-century security architecture with 20th-century tools,” were his words as he kicked off that inspection.

From Lagos to Rivers, from Enugu to Oji River, the Governor led a relentless assessment of police and NSCDC training centres long abandoned to decay. What he saw reaffirmed the urgency: uninhabitable hostels, obsolete equipment, and facilities are unfit for our gallant officers who are the defenders of national peace. With 30,000 new police recruits expected, the Governor was clear with the message that Nigeria cannot demand excellence from men trained in conditions that betray dignity.

President Tinubu’s directive for a total overhaul has now taken flight, with Governor Mbah steering the southern assessment team. The committee has 30 days to produce an actionable roadmap. Governor Mbah’s commitment to this task in November simply showed that he is treating the assignment not as a mere political task, but squarely as a national calling.

Another highlight in November came when the Director General of the National Institute for Sports visited Enugu with a remarkable announcement that the Federal Government has selected Enugu as the South East Zonal Headquarters of the NIS. It was both symbolic and deserved. Enugu, the home of Nigerian sporting legends, continues its renaissance under Governor Mbah, with investments in Awgu Games Village, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, and sports-driven youth empowerment.

“I take sports seriously,” the Governor affirmed, noting its power to drive unity, economic growth, and opportunities for young people. The state immediately committed space, logistics, and institutional backing for the new zonal office: another step toward making Enugu a national centre of excellence.

In an era where health outcomes define state and national prosperity, Governor Mbah’s administration made significant gains in the health sector in November. The World Health Organization and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office delivered buses, generators, computers, electronic boards, and extensive lab and hostel equipment to Enugu’s Colleges of Nursing. Governor Mbah, in turn, reinforced his commitment to training 3,000 healthcare professionals annually, completing massive new hospital blocks at ESUTH, and expanding medical infrastructure across the state.

The Governor’s health reforms are premised on his belief that a healthier Enugu is a stronger and more prosperous Enugu.

Creativity, too, had its moment in November. Governor Mbah received the newly renamed Herbert Wigwe AFRIFF Excellence Award, presented by Chioma Ude and Nollywood’s Williams Uchemba. For a state that once served as the heartbeat of Nollywood, the recognition carried nostalgia and a promise by the Governor to bring the industry fully back home, supported by security, infrastructure, and an environment where art, tourism, and film can flourish. With Enugu’s sevenfold economic vision, the creative sector is no longer entertainment alone. It’s become a growth engine.

Security cooperation also remained central throughout the month. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, visited Enugu and publicly acknowledged the significant improvement in the state’s security environment. His compliments were more than ceremonial; they validated the strategic intelligence investments, difficult reforms, and strengthened inter-agency collaborations championed by the Governor.

There was also a visit from Navy Commodore A. O. Odejobi and his successor, Commodore N. Frinday. The interaction underscored the vital role the Navy plays in securing riverine communities and supporting the expansion of agriculture, logistics, and inland water transport in Uzo-Uwani. The Governor pledged deeper collaboration, with Enugu opening new economic frontiers through the revival of waterways and agro-industrial corridors.

In November, Enugu’s Government House hosted an influential European Union delegation, comprising the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, the Belgian Ambassador, the Portuguese Ambassador, and senior diplomats. The conversations were rich – spanning energy, education, creative industries, and investment opportunities.

The EU reaffirmed support through ongoing programmes like Solar for Health and Nigeria Energy Support Programme, which align seamlessly with Enugu’s aggressive investments in education (33% of the state budget), renewable energy, and infrastructure. With Enugu Air launched and the international wing of Akanu Ibiam Airport nearing full functionality, the Governor reiterated a simple message:

Enugu is open for business globally.

In one of November’s most emotional moments, Governor Mbah, who happens to be a son shaped by the Church, had the opportunity to address the 4th Synod of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. He spoke of leadership as stewardship, of government as a builder of systems that allow virtues to thrive, and of a state experiencing a quiet but profound rebirth.

In his session at the synod, he recounted his administration’s milestones: 1,300 km of roads.
Revived industries. Smart schools. AI-powered security command centres. Improved IGR. Modern transportation.
Health system transformation. The audience, comprising Bishops, clergy, religious and laity, could not hold back their admiration for a man who effortlessly weaved the subjects of faith, governance, and purpose into one coherent message: That the people of Enugu are the centre of every decision he makes every time he’s awake.

The month of November closed on a solemn note in Ugbawka, where the Governor joined the Onyeabor family and the Catholic community to honour Sir Engr. Rex Onyeabor.

He described him as “one of those extraordinary human beings God places among us to quietly lift and strengthen others.” An icon.
An institution. A man whose humility and service shaped countless lives. Enugu paid its deep and sincere respects to the great man of Ugbawka.

In conclusion, the month of November, just like other days and months, showed that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is not the typical politician who is confined to the boundaries of state politics. Rather, he operates on a broader canvas, shaping security reforms at the national level, attracting investments from within and outside Nigeria, and consolidating Enugu’s growing reputation as a state in rebirth.

Ndi Enugu,
Tomorrow Is Here!