By Samson Ezea
Saying unequivocally and with finality that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Owo, Nkanu East LGA-born maritime lawyer, financial analyst, public servant, oil magnet and renowned entrepreneur, before emerging or becoming the Governor of Enugu State is a rare breed is not an overstatement or a lie.
He is indeed in his own unique element and will continue to be, having already had the world in his palms through the dint of hard work, focus, and grace at 52. It is also of note that at a very relative young age, Mbah found himself in the corridors of power occupying the powerful positions of Chief of Staff to the Governor and Commissioner for Finance and was able to handle them very well without being carried away by the perks and paraphernalia of office.
Unlike the typical Nigerian politician, that would have continued to hang and hover around the corridors of power, lobby for more political positions, favours, juicy government contracts and other government patronage usually in abundance, Mbah quietly abandoned politics and public service and moved on after his stint with the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration.
He returned to Lagos, where he was before to search for business opportunities and potentials that are always in abundance for those that have the vision, resilience, and capacity to overcome and prosper.
In Lagos, Mbah quietly, patiently, and stoically started in a studio room in Victoria Island, a company known as Pinnacle Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited. With time, the company became visible with some retail filling stations across the country, while Mbah worked studiously behind the scene and within a short time, he transformed and expanded the company’s business frontiers from a studio room office to a major global player in the competitive downstream oil industry by conceptualising, commencing and completing the largest tank farm in Africa at Lekki free trade zone. This huge and unprecedented investment was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022 amidst accolades and commendations by Nigerians and the international community.
It will not be surprising if Mbah’s magic wand and Midas touch which brought about the breakthrough and success of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited become a case study and reference point in the global oil industry and entrepreneurial community in the years ahead. This is because Mbah’s exploits and achievements in that regard are no mean feat, especially for someone who had a very short stint in politics and was not a major stakeholder in the oil industry.
That was why Mbah’s foray into the murky water of Nigeria again in 2022 to aspire for the coveted office of the Governor of Enugu State on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) created fears and sent shivers down the spines of his co-aspirants and opposition, who instantly became threatened by his expression of interest.
His entry into the governorship race changed the equation because he came prepared, became the big masquerade and the best among the equals before, during and after the party primaries and the governorship election.
Throughout the struggles, intrigues, and scheming for the PDP governorship primaries and elections, Mbah was not daunted, disillusioned, or perturbed. Rather he was calm, confident and focused. This was despite the barrage of social media mudslinging and campaign of calumny unleashed on him by the opponents, especially the Labour Party governorship candidate, and his spin doctors.
He remained dogged, determined, and had his eyes on the ball. His victory in the election didn’t come easy because of the sabotage within his party and bandwagon effect and wave of the presidential ambition of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, particularly in the Southeast region.
At the court, Mbah emerged victorious from the tribunal to the Supreme Court that dismissed the petitions of his co- contestants in LP, APC, and the rest for lack of merit.
At 52, and less than one year in office, Governor Mbah who came into office with the mantra of disruptive innovations and in a hurry to change things for good, has revolutionised and re-engineered the governance, political and development structures of Enugu State for better performance. He has brought to bear his public and private sectors experiences to the governance of Enugu State. With his government’s massive interventions in all sectors of the state economy, Mbah is systematically and methodically building Enugu of the people’s dream and greater future.
Apart from ending quickly the menace of the IPOB-induced illegal Monday sit-at-home in Enugu and repositioning the state’s security architecture to enhance peace and security, Mbah’s administration has turned the state into a huge construction site with completed and ongoing roads, health institutions and smart schools projects across the state. From agriculture, housing, SME, tourism, health, water, ICT, civil service, environment, sports, transport, Mbah’s administration is making changes and progress that will catapult the state to enviable economic height in the immediate and years to come.
Politics, which has been part of government and governance in the state before now, has taken a back seat, while good governance, infrastructural development and delivery of democracy dividends have taken the centre stage and frontburner. There is also a paradigm shift in the leadership recruitment and style of governance in the state. This is gradually changing the state’s political actors, landscape and activities.
To Governor Mbah, it appears that the best form of politics and governance is good governance and delivery of democracy dividends to the people, especially at the grassroots where there are majority of the voters. This is what Governor Mbah has demonstrated by the way and manner his government is executing projects, particularly roads in some suburbs like Abakpa, Emene, Obiagu, Camp, Awkunanaw, Ugwuaji, Agbani road and others that have been neglected for sometimes.
At 52 and as the Governor of Enugu State, Mbah has shown Ndi Enugu that their choice of him as their governor at the poll was never a wrong decision. He has demonstrated to them by his actions and inactions that he is capable and prepared for the job they entrusted in his hands and there is light at the end of the tunnel, eventhough it will be no longer business as usual.
It is quite gladdening and celebratory that at 52, Governor Mbah has written his name in gold, had his footprints in the sand of time and is highly desirous of breaking new grounds in creating wealth and rendering selfless service to humanity.
Mbah is a jinx breaker, three national dailies awards winner, astute entrepreneur, and Governor of Enugu state with burning desire, creative abilities, genuine moves and disruptive innovations and vision to build new Enugu of international standards and global economic reckoning.
Ride on the game changer, technological savvy, financial analyst and great leader of our time. Happy birthday, the disruptive innovators and outstanding personality.
Samson Ezea was a Special Adviser (Media)to the immediate past Governor of Enugu state,Rt. Hon.( Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.