R- Anglican Archbishop Dr. Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma(rtd) presents the Best South-East Governor of the Year (2025) Award to Gov. Mbah, represented by Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development & Poverty Eradication, while others watch with keen interest.
THURSDAY, April 16, 2026, will eternally remain indelible in the minds of the Enugu state Governor Barrister Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Government and the good people of Enugu state.
A remarkable, and unforgettable day indeed. It was the day that the Board and management of Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation, (a non-governmental organisation), formed by three high-heeled journalists from Igboland, to promote and preserve Igbo heritage, culture, tradition, as well as identify and celebrate Igbo sons and daughters, who achieve good success in their areas of endeavors, honoured Gov. Mbah with the “prestigious” Best South-East Governor Of The Year(2025) Award.
Commissioner for Human Development & Poverty Eradication Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, who represented Gov. Mbah at the occasion raises up the prestigious award, while retired Archbishop Chukwuma(right) and others watch keenly.
Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Industrialist (represented) receives an award from HRM Samuel Asadu, Ogadagidi, chairman, Enugu state Council of Traditional Rulers.
The Best South East Governor of the Year Award was predicated on the unprecedented and yet unequaled socio-economic transformation of Enugu state by the Mbah —led administration within a relatively short-space-of-time.
According to Dr. Henry Alfred Kissinger, the 56th United States Secretary of State(1973-1977), “every great achievement begins with a dream, before turning the vision into a reality.”
The Chairman, Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council HRM Samuel Asadu, Ogadagidi, (middle) receives the award of Integrity and Excellence in Business and Humanitarian Services from Chief Emma Nwankpa(left), flanked by Mr. Sam Nwanze(right), Chairman/CEO, Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation.
Indeed, before he became governor on May 29, 2023, the young man who hails from Owo community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu state, had a dream that one day, he would, working with a dedicated team comprising of talented men and women, grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from a paltry $4.4 billion to a humongous $30billion within eight years, by promoting industrialization, improving agriculture, and fostering digital innovation. And today, the signs are visible that he would achieve this goal within the specified period.
Mr. Nwanze, assisted by Comrade Amaka Agbo, NAWOJ Chairperson(SouthEast) presents the Award of Integrity and Excellence in Community Development/Public Service to HRM Iheanyichukwu Ezigbo(Ochima 1), traditional ruler of Ohabiri Umuchime na Amanso, Ossa Ibeku, who represented Prince B. B. Apugo(Oparaukwu/Ochiagha Ibeku) at the occasion.
The former Ebonyi State First Lady (represented) Her Excellency Princess Eunice Ukamaka Egwu receives an award from the Chairman, Enugu state Chapter, NBA,,Barr. Ikechukwu Okoh, on Integrity and Excellence in philanthropy, while Mr. Nwanze looks on.
Gov. Mbah represented by Prof. Okoli(4th right), and other dignitaries listen with rapt attention as the representative of Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo, Oparaukwu/Ochiagha Ibeku, HRM Iheanyichukwu Ezigbo,(3rd left) addresses the audience before unveiling the 2025 edition of Igbo Book of Records, a publication of Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation
Again, before he became governor, he had a dream that as the helmsman of Enugu state, he would introduce science and technology to the primary and secondary school system through building 206 digital Green Smart Schools in each of the 206 political wards in the state. This dream is almost a reality.
Prof. Okoli(4th right), Archbishop Chukwuma(rtd) (2nd right) HRM Samuel Asadu(2nd left) assist HRM Ikechukwu Ezigbo (3rd left) to unveil the Igbo Book of Records)
In the health sector too, he has within a short-space-of-time, achieved what his predecessors couldn’t accomplish in. eight years. His administration is constructing 26O Type-2 Primary Health Centres in each of the state’s wards to provide accessible high quality healthcare at the grassroots level where majority of the people live.
Additionally a 300-bed exquisite international hospital built by the Mbah administration, and designed to curb medical tourism abroad, would soon be commissioned in Enugu, the Enugu state capital.
Prof, Umezuruike Okafor, Chief Medical Director, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, receives an award of Integrity and Excellence in Medical Practise, from Mr. Nwanze, while his wife looks on.
Governor Mbah has also done very well in the transport sector. The Enugu Air, with about 9 aircraft on its fleet; the CNG programme, and the construction of bus terminals in Enugu and Nsukka, forms part of Gov. Mbah’s success story in less than three years of his assumption of office.
Representative of Gov. Mbah Prof, Okoli (3rd right) Prof. Okafor(1st right) his wife (2nd right) Mike Ubani, Executive Director, Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation/Executive Editor, Igbo Book of Records(1st left) Sam Nwanze, Chairman/CEO, Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation/Editor-in-Chief, Igbo Book of Records.
Other awardees in the well-attended ceremony held at the iconic International Conference Centre, Enugu. Included but not limited to Dr. Chike Obidigbo, an outstanding industrialist, Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo (Oparaukwu/Ochiagha Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia state, HRM Eze Samuel Asadu (Ogadagidi), chairman, Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council, the wife of former Ebonyi state Governor Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, Her Excellency, Princess Eunice Ukamaka Egwu.
