By Ani Ekenechukwu Kelvin 

The disruptive innovative agenda of Gov. Peter Mbah is gradually turning Enugu state into a center of attraction and development. From the inception of Mbah's emergence, I can holistically and meticulously adduce some of his achievements in the last one year in succinctly simplified manner.

Mbah's vision to move Enugu state from 4.2 billion dollars GDP to 30 billion dollars GDP appears to some people as mere wishful thinking, while others may adjudge the governor as being a "day dreamer".

Gov. Peter Mbah's  overarching governance goal is to significantly enhance the economic landscape of Enugu state by repositioning it as a premier destination for business investment and leisure activities. As a renowned economist and entrepreneur, he hosted world economic conference in Enugu state on 1st Oct. 2023, with captains of industries, private sectors and foreign investors in attendance. The governor seized the opportunity to explain his unassailable agenda and disruptive innovation vision of moving Enugu state economy to 30 billion dollars. Since his emergence as the chief administrator, the economy of Enugu state has continued to grow exponentially, which is palpable. For the first time, UK Embassy was established in Enugu and southeast at large under the Mbah's administration.

On 5th December 2023, Gov. Peter Mbah submitted a budget sum of #521,561,386,000 to Enugu State House Of Assembly for approval. 33 percent of the budget was allocated to education sector. It was the first time in the history of Nigeria that education is taken 33 percent of a budget, even above the United Nations benchmark for education which is 15 percent. Gov. Peter who described education as the bedrock to development also lucidly explained how the 33 percent allocated to education will be well spent.

Construction of smart schools in all 260 wards of the state is going on aggressively across the three senatorial zones. The Smart Green Schools contain smart laboratories and studios, smart communication system dwelling on ICT and the internet Smart teacher's quarters, water supply scheme children friendly conviencies, solar- powered light and indoor and outdoor gaming facilities. Earlier, Mbah's administration had trained teachers on modern teaching techniques. It also brought infrastructure to state tertiary institutions. Undoubtedly, our education sector has taken a new shape.

Gov. Peter Mbah's unalloyed commitment towards security in the state is laudable and commendable. Mbah in his manifesto described "Security" as a key area for development and economic growth. In his quest to bring peace and tranquility in Enugu, he engaged the stakeholders, Traditional rulers, President Generals of various autonomous communities and all security agencies in a symposium and the outcome birthed Distress Response Squad (DRS) with every necessary equipments, including operation vehicles to enable them fight unscrupulous elements that create insecurity in the sate.

The sit-at-home propaganda that bedeviled the southeast region for years is now a thing of the past. Further more, Gov. Peter Mbah pushed for the establishment of Army Barack in Isi- uzo local government area, Air force base in Uzo-uwani local government area, which has been approved by federal government. He established Enugu State Security Trust Fund for the sustainability of security services to the state, of which 20 billon naira was allocated to the ministry in charge. These are some of the measures taken by Gov. Mbah towards bringing peace and creating an enabling environment for economic activities in the state.

In pursuit of the proposed 30 billion dollars robust economy in Enugu state, Gov. Peter Mbah gave urgent attention to infrastructure in a bid to attracts foreign investors to do business in Enugu. Ndi-Enugu are overwhelmed by the infrastructural development that has trailed the state in the first year of Mbah's administration. Providing water to Ndi Enugu in 180 days in office was unimaginable, but later realized. The road projects are significantly reshaping the state's infrastructural landscape, enhancing connectivity across different regions and fostering economic growth.

The new Enugu smart city was initiated to decongest Enugu Urban. The construction of 20,000 housing units for Enugu state civil servants which is ongoing and soon to be completed. Gov. Mbah is also revamping the state's moribund assets such as international conference center, which is expected to attract international programs to the state. The long abandoned presidential hotel in Enugu is currently undergoing extensive renovation and expected to be operationalized soon.

Gov. Peter Mbah's commitment in the agricultural sector shows that agriculture is one of the key sectors through which he intend to enhance the economy of the state. In its effort to boost food security, create jobs, and grow the state's gross domestic product (GDP), Gov. Peter Mbah's administration has intensified cassava production by targeting over 500 hectare of farmlands in Uzo-uwani local government, Nkanu east local government and Aninri local government. The aforementioned local government areas represent the three senatorial zones in Enugu state. Enugu farmers were trained on modern farming and they were empowered by Gov. Peter Mbah with grains, farming machines and funds.