By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, Ph.D
H.E Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah
Few days ago, one of the human friendly gestures was exhibited by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah at Amaechara Ovoko, Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, when she gifted a fully furnished house to the family of Mr. Chisom Odoh whose wife gave birth to Quintuplets in June 2025 at a hospital in Enugu.
When the information about this birth circulated, especially with the sad news of the man’s incapability to care for the “blessings from God”, the Local Government Chairman of Igboeze South, Hon Barr Ugochukwu Ferdinand Ukwueze, paid a visit to the hospital and drew the attention of the wife of the Governor to the issue.
Mrs Mbah was impressed by the miracle God did to the family and intervened but, seeing how poor the family is, decided to do what even myself did not think of. She began to erect a house for the family whose level of poverty was sequel to that encountered by Job during his trial period in the Bible. When she made the promise and instructed Barr Ukwueze to swing into action immediately, many thought it was a normal trick and the more you look the less you see strategy that is associated with Tomorrow is Here administration in Enugu State since 2023 and ignored the said instructions.
Fast forward to October 3rd, that is less than four months after the directive was given, the fully furnished house was commissioned by the First Lady. That is what is called humanity in governance. When I was watching the live video of the event, I was emotional because I saw the joy on the face of this family, who never knew such a day would come. They were tenants in their own village till that day.
However, there was a scoop in the event. Another man received a house as a gift courtesy of the Local Government Chairman, Barr Ukwueze. The man was said to have donated his inheritance to the wife of the Governor for the said building to be erected as Mr Chisom had no land in view to call his own. But in order to balance the happiness and avoid future family land crisis, the land donor’s house was renovated and furnished too by the council chairman, an act that depicts humanity in governance.
The development became a major talking point among residents of the area. Many community members described the gesture as a clear example of leadership that focuses on the welfare of the people. They noted that such actions give a sense of belonging to the less privileged and restore faith in governance at the grassroots level. The atmosphere in Amaechara Ovoko remained lively days after the event as people continued to celebrate the good news.
Observers at the commissioning expressed joy that a promise of this nature was delivered within a short time. According to them, it is uncommon to see leaders act swiftly and deliver tangible results without delays. They pointed out that this project has set a new pace in community-oriented governance and serves as encouragement to other leaders to take similar steps in supporting vulnerable families.
Religious and traditional leaders at the event offered words of appreciation to the wife of the Governor and the council chairman. They prayed for more strength and grace upon their lives, noting that this intervention has brought relief to a family that had lost hope. Songs of praise filled the air as both the beneficiaries and members of the community expressed gratitude for a gesture they described as life-changing.
More so, as a show of appreciation for this humanity act, the council of traditional rulers in Enugu North Senatorial zone (Ndị Ìgwè Nsukka cultural zone niile) gave her a title named “Ifekaugo – Enugu.”
Let me use this opportunity to thank Ifekaugo Enugu, nwunye Nwoke-Owo, for this gesture. Let me also praise Barr Ukwueze for having human conscience and allowing God to use him to remember that family. With this type of exhibition, one can actually see and feel that the tomorrow of the Odo’s is actually here.