“It is hard for the international community to ignore such a fine blend of talent, competence, and influential individuals…” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
The Governor of Enugu State has pulled the most unexpected strings since their assumption to office, about three months ago. Without any doubt, Enugu has been restored as the melting pot of the best of the Southeast geo-political zone. It is even more or less magical when one observes the state governor’s demeanor and public appearances which speaks of nothing spectacular. Mr. Peter Mbah the governor of Enugu state, appears very humble and unassuming. He speaks with hesitation which may suggest that he thinks clearly about what says. But really, there is nothing else that gives the impression that he can, within this short time, mobilize the kind of attention the international community is according to Enugu state in just three months. So, what could be Peter Mbah’s magic baton?
For many years, Enugu has cultivated a community of intellectuals from all parts of the Southeast who have access to the government, as well as make various forms of contribution in shaping government policies. There are many powerful networks of intelligentsia who meet from time to time and discuss real issues of public interest while proffering solutions to identified problems. What this has done is that it has attracted more bright and influential people into the community and the government recognizes and partners with them. During training for Southeast journalists in Enugu on election reporting, supported by the US Embassy in Nigeria, the Enugu International Film Festival chaired by Ujuaku Akukwe, was handy in hosting visiting journalists and they were supported also by the US Embassy. At the event, both the government and other high-profile individuals were in attendance, including Chief Ben Etiaba. What this sort of gathering has done for Enugu is that it makes it harder for the international community to ignore such a fine blend of talent, competence, and influential individuals.
Throughout Southeast Nigeria, it is only the Enugu state that can boast of such a community of influential people mixing up so well with the society, officials of government, and even the governor. It is only in Enugu that you find valuable clubs like Enugu Sports Club and groups, whose members live and work in the state and also meet to discuss real societal issues to the knowledge and partnership of the state government at the highest levels. Many members of these elite and intelligentsia communities are experienced professionals who have lived and worked in the Western world. Others are experienced professionals in diverse endeavors.
Enugu state has been able to create a set of elites who are from different parts of the Southeast but are influential within the government of Enugu state. Many of these individuals are part of the elites who contribute informally to government decisions. In return, they have taken Enugu state as their home, and in consequence, their relevance rubs off on the state. Apparently, what Mr. Peter Mbah of Enugu state has done is to mobilize these powerful human capitals in Enugu and leverage their individual influence to reach the international community in his drive to promote trade and ease of doing business in Enugu state. The governor might have relied heavily on the individual competence of these elites and intelligentsia in the state, to reach the international community with ease. This, after all, is the greatest assignment of a leader; using men and materials to accomplish a set target.
Only about two months ago, The British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery, visited Enugu state. While on that visit, the High Commissioner visited Chief Ben Etiaba, an outstanding member of the flourishing Enugu intelligentsia and elite groups. Thereafter, only about two months later, the United Kingdom opened a visa office in Enugu, the first ever, in the entire Southeast. Then on Tuesday, just a day after the United Kingdom opened a visa office in the state, the Governor of Enugu state hosted the Ambassador of Indonesia Dr. Ura Hendra Harahap. It should not come as a surprise if Indonesia opens a consulate office in Enugu state soon.
Now, the import of this global recognition is beyond the taxes the Commission or Embassy would pay, the people they will employ, or the fact that people in the Southeast can now process visas within the zone. It is symbolic to the effect that Southeast Nigeria matters to the rest of the world, not just Abuja and Lagos. For that it is what visa or consulate offices communicate; the fact that a people matter to the foreign country. The opportunity that comes with this is literally unlimited. The world can come to the Southeast without Lagos and Abuja; the Southeast can go to the world without Lagos and Abuja.
Enugu has prepared for this for many years with a focus on a clean and green environment that gives the full ambiance of a modern city. Therefore, the past administrations have contributed to the success of the day. However, Governor Peter Mbah has shown the brightest prospects of a focused leader with his uncommon ability to extensively mobilize capable people and deploy them to work, while also leveraging the influence of Enugu elite and intelligentsia groups, and harnessing their strengths to the benefit of the people and government of Enugu state.
The Enugu state advantage is the elite consensus, flourishing robust intelligentsia, and their partnership with the government for the progress of the state. In other words, Peter Mbah deployed the Enugu advantage to achieve a remarkable feat in just three months.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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