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 former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’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 @ 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 Igwe’s 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 adequately 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 indigenes 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 schools initiative, rural health issues are among the areas that have received his attention more in the past 22 months or thereabout of his administration.
However, not a few complain about the tax administration system in the state. In their opinion, the “tax burden” is heavy on the people, especially the low income earners.
Even then, several Enugu residents, tenaciously hold the view that Gov. Mbah’s administration has efficiently and prudently used the tax revenue to expand the frontiers of socio-economic development of the state,
There is a groundswell of opinion that given the rate at which he has positively touched the lives of Ndi Enugu through the transformation of the health, education, agricultural, transport/road infrastructure, and water sectors, the state is now poised to become the preferred destination for investors, both local and foreign.
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.
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.
