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Tag: Peter Mbah

Enugu @ 32: Mbah says administration will realise dreams of founding fathers through disruptive innovation

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says his administration is determined to realise the goals and dreams of the state’s founding fathers through innovation and disruptive governance.

Governor Mbah gave the assurances in a statement at the weekend to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Enugu State.

While extolling Enugu’s founding fathers, who fought for the creation of the state in 1991, the governor maintained that their sacrifices had never been in vain, as successive administrations have continued to sustain their legacies and work towards the realisation of those dreams.

He, however, stressed that the target of his government was to go beyond the sustenance of the dreams to actualising them through innovation and disruptive governance philosophy.

“I salute the determination and sacrifices of our founding fathers and all those that contributed in one way or the other in the tortuous journey of ensuring that the quest for a state of our own came to fruition. We will never take their sacrifices for granted.

“Our agenda is to immortalise them by fashioning out a state that they would be proud of and a state that would stand as a reference point in socioeconomic transformation in the country.

“Over the past 32 years, we have witnessed some commendable transformations meant at sustaining the dreams of our founding fathers. However, what our administration is doing is that, we are no longer comfortable with the incremental model because the world is fast evolving through technologies and new ways of doing things.

“We started this by laying a new foundation that would disrupt the sub-optimisation in governance. We have started doing things differently because we want a state where posterity will be kind to us. We want a state where our children will judge us fairly. We want a state where poverty will be a thing of the past.

“We understand that these are not going to be easy, but with your support, and our commitment to our governance philosophy, I can say we will get there faster than ever imagined.

“We are determined to take our economy from the present $4.4 billion to N
$30 billion, and we are laying the necessary foundations for this exponential economic revolution.

“We have made consequential statements on security and backed them with action to guarantee investment inflow. And we will not rest on our oars until the last atom of threat to our people’s peace and security is escorted out of the state,” part of the statement reads.

The governor wished the people of Enugu State a happy 32nd anniversary.

Signed:
Dan Nwomeh
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mainstream Media

August 27, 2023
Asogwa, Enugu State Housing Corporation Boss, assumes office, as management, staff of Corporation thank Gov. Mbah
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

Following the constitution of some boards and political announcements approved by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, the newly appointed General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, Barr. Gerald Asogwa, has assumed office.

Asogwa who was at the corporation today, August 24, 2023, was received by the management and staff , amidst happiness and gratitude by them to the state Governor for his (Asogwa) appointment.

In a brief statement made available to Pacesetter, the management and staff of the corporation described Asogwa as “The man we have been waiting for”. They expressed their readiness to work with him.

Part of the statement reads: “The man we have been waiting for is finally here.

“We promise to work with him to achieve the laudable projects of the State Government.

“We Sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Barr. Peter Mbah who found him worthy to be given such an amiable position. We promise to work together with him to achieve our mandates towards achieving the development agenda of the State Government in the area of mass housing, addressing the housing deficit towards achieving affordable and cheap housing in the state”.

Barr. Gerald Asogwa who was thankful for the warm reception he received, expressed the need to work as a team to attain an applaudable height.

Recall that Governor Mbah had recently constituted his cabinet following the swearing-in of 21 Commissioners. This was followed by his approval of board and political appointments yesterday.

The full list of the approved board and political appointments are:
1. Prof. Bethrand Ngwu, Chief Medical Director, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane
1. Barr. Uche Anya, Executive Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.
1. Lawrence Ani, Executive Secretary, Council for Arts and Culture
1. Nnanyelugo Dan Onyishi, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Economic Planning Commission.
1. Dr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, General Manager, Enugu State Investment Development Authority
1. Gerald Asogwa, General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Authority
1. Dr. G.O.C. Ajah, mni, Chairman, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)
1. Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, Member 1, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)
1. Dr. Hyginus Bankho, Member 2, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)
1. Nwakaego M. Aja, Member 3, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)
1. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue
1. Rita Mbah, Chairman, Enugu State Tourism Board
1. Amobi Paulinus Ezeaku, General Manager, Rangers International Football Club
August 24, 2023
Enugu 2023: My administration will fight insecurity with modern technology, job creation –Mbah, PDP gov candidate

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fight insecurity through the deployment of modern technology, job creation, massive infrastructure, engagement of youths and provisions of social services across the state if elected governor in the March 11, 2023 elections.

Dr. Mbah, who gave this assurance on Thursday at Unadu and Ibagwa-Aka, headquarters of Udeze and Igboeze South West Central Development Centres, in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, at town hall meetings where he interfaced with the stakeholders of the different communities in the area, stated that he had put in place the required apparatuses for the transformation of the state.

The governorship flagbearer maintained that security is at the core of his governance and strategic policy that will make the state envious and attractive to investors.

According to him, modern technology, intelligence gathering, strengthening of community policing, and engagement of youths in productive enterprises will eradicate insecurity across the state, saying that he would leave no stone unturned in harnessing the abundant resources in the area which will create more wealth for the people.

While reacting to the demands of the development centres, Dr. Mbah said new infrastructure, such as road construction that will link communities in the state, functional primary and secondary health care facilities, skills acquisition and vocational training centres, total overhaul of the education curricula and installation of information and communications technology for pedagogical learning are all key to his administration’s development agenda as contained in his manifesto.

Reiterating that the state, under his leadership, will witness unprecedented development that will attract workforce from other states, the governorship hopeful vowed that he would grow the economy seven-fold, open up rural areas for industrialisation and create economic zones that will make the state the food basket of the nation.

“Our industrialisation policy will discourage our youths from migrating outside the country in search of green pastures because we will constructively and productively engage them.

“Agriculture is going to be a profitable business because we’re going to invest massively in the sector such that we will be producing, processing, packaging, marketing, exporting and creating more value chain in the process,” he added.

Speaking earlier, the administrators of the development centres, Hon. Ernest Ayaogu and Hon. James Obiora, chairman of the council area, Hon. Vitus Okechi, member representing the people at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Madu, and candidate for Igboeze South/Udenu federal constituency, Engr. Vita Abba, applauded Dr. Mbah for embarking on the impactful town hall meetings initiated to reach out to people in the grassroots, promising to vote for him en masse.

On their part, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Emma Ugwu, House of Representatives member for the constituency, Rt. Hon. Pat Asadu, Director General, Enugu G 17, Hon. Emeka Ajogwu, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Chuks Ugwuoke assured the gubernatorial flagbearer that their people had already concluded to deliver bloc votes for his electoral victory.

While underscoring that Mbah’s development trajectory would redefine governance in the state, Ajogwu expressed optimism that Udeze and its environment will be liberated from dearth of infrastructure under the next administration, adding that his proposed 10,000 kilometers of roads had brought hope for his people.

Asadu, extolling the uncommon leadership capacity the business mogul is bringing to the state, stated that Dr. Mbah epitomized virtue and success having managed his business to an international status.

“We believe in you and we are audacious that you’re going to work for the state. I can sign for Mbah with my blood. I can vouch for both Mbah and Ossai any time, any day. If I was given the opportunity to pick the next governor of the state, I will pick Dr. Peter Mbah for the job,” he added.

Lending his voice, a ranking stakeholder from the community, Engr. James Ajebo disclosed that the local government had met and agreed to vote for all the PDP candidates across the zone, including the governorship candidate.

He noted that the council has arable lands for agriculture and other raw materials which should be activated to yield exponential revenue, adding that Dr. Mbah should build skills acquisition and vocational training centres to address the issue of restiveness among the youth.

Further dismissing the presence of opposition parties in the area, the oil and gas magnate stated that PDP would sweep the entire development centres, leaving less than five percent votes for the opposition. This, he argued, was possible because of the excellent programmes presented by Dr. Mbah as encapsulated in his statement of purpose.

January 13, 2023
[OPINION] 2023: The Calculus of Dr. Peter Mbah’s disruptive innovation and the imperative of accelerating economic growth in a changing and challenging time

By Christian Enebe

Dr. Peter Mbah, the Enugu State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general election, is without an iota of doubt a visionary, keen on revolutionizing the state.

His ideas, which are considered novel and unprecedented, have been hailed as both ingenious and ambitious. The ideas which are condensed into a phenomenal and historic manifesto, have not only raised the hope for realizing the new Enugu that he has envisioned but have also triggered a consciousness of creative thoughts likely to lead to the birth of more ideas in the future that will complement the culture of innovation as a basis to grow the economy and drive development, which he is bringing on board.

Going by his manifesto, his primary goal is to deliver quality, people – focused governance by making Enugu State the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living. His key objectives are to make Enugu State one of the top three states in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which he plans to move from $4.4B to $30B and achieve a zero percent poverty headcount index in 4 to 8 years when elected the Governor of Enugu State.

Dr. Mbah believes in innovation and sees it as a critical tool for change. This explains why innovation is the major thrust of his well thought – out blueprint. His disruptive innovation, which appears to be the central idea of his transformative agenda and the fulcrum around which others revolve, has been described by analysts as a masterstroke. According to Dr. Mbah, disruptive innovation is an aggressive approach which can enable one do things in a completely different way as to alter the status quo. He maintains that innovation has the tendency to alter approaches, processes and systems with possibilities of prompting modified and accelerated outcomes.

Dr. Mbah believes that innovation can serve as a launch pad that can lift off a business and set it in motion for a quantum leap. He also believes that innovation can trigger an exponential growth by altering established conventions and age-long traditions that tend to keep a business or organization going round a circle. He credits his outstanding success in the private sector to the quatum leap his signature investment, Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd. experienced as a result of applying disruptive innovation.

He was quoted as saying: “Pinnacle commenced operations in 2008 and we started off in a one-bedroom studio apartment somewhere on Ahmed Onibudo Street in Victoria Island, Lagos. I started it off with about two other guys – one was my secretary and the other was my dispatch man.”

This was clearly a humble beginning. From his success story, it is clear that Mbah knew that he didn’t have a chance in the highly competitive oil and gas business except he interferes with the system and disrupts the statusquo using technology and innovation. That was where his disruptive innovation began. He stated, ”we were in a space that companies had already taken their positions and had captured their various sizes. So, we knew that growing incrementally was not the option. We knew we needed to come up with a disruptive idea that would help us displace some of the dominant players and take that dominant position that we had envisioned.” Apparently, Mbah’s driving force was to meet up with the speed of the industry leaders at the time and he found the leverage he needed in innovation.

Today, available indices indicate that Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd. is a success story. As a matter of fact, the company is believed to occupy a leadership position in the petroleum downstream sector based on volume and market share where it is commanding 23 per cent of the market (share) as against 5 percent controlled by its closest competitor. This open – secret of the company’s success story is attributable to disruptive innovation.

It is generally agreeable that without innovation, we would all be stuck in the same place or spot. Hence, William Brody, a Scientist, posed a question. He asked: What is the calculus of innovation? According to him, “the calculus of innovation is really quite simple: Knowledge drives innovation, innovation drives productivity, productivity drives economic growth.“ Correspondingly, innovation is also described as a powerful way of securing competitive advantage and a more secure way to defending strategic position and success.

Dr. Peter Mbah’s disruptive innovation has proven to be an effective business and wealth creation model. The model which was launched towards securing an improved business outcome in his private business, is currently being adapted to accelerate economic growth in Enugu state.

I subscribe to the view that innovations are oftentimes inspired through internal desires to succeed financially. There cannot be a better time to deploy innovation than the changing and challenging times that we find ourselves. We are at a time when governments at all levels are at a dilemma arising from the damaging impact of COVID -19, the negative effect of Russia/Ukraine war and other globalized and localized challenges which have led to unstable and fluctuating oil prices, high energy cost, instability of exchange rates, high cost of borrowing, rising inflation, high and rising cost of living, poor living conditions of citizens, high and rising unemployment, salaries being either owed or not paid as and when due etc.

These concerns leave our world both at the global and local levels without an option than to discover and engage competent leaders with powerful ideas that can defy the present day hostile circumstances and chart a course of progress for the struggling world. There is increasing need for government at all levels to be innovative enough to disrupt the status quo and set progress in motion in order to salvage our world and halt further slipping to a bottomless economic chasm. This should guide the thoughts of today’s voters and influencers who should act wisely and timely to help in salvaging the challenged world. Innovators like Dr. Peter Mbah should be given a chance to inspire a new order and chart the course to the Enugu of our dreams.

As a matter of fact, those who will take over leadership at this time, must be seen to be not only qualified but competent and savvy in dealing with matters of economy. They must be people who have the brain power to salvage the situation. Peter Mbah’s disruptive innovation comes handy at this time to help in accelerating the economic dynamics of the state. There is no gainsaying the fact that Enugu state needs his wealth of knowledge to build on the gains of the past, create and manage wealth, maximize the economic potentials of the state and turn things around in a manner that will launch the state to the top as one of the first three states in the country. This is not only desirable but attainable.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited’s offshore subsea petroleum products terminal at the Lekky Free Trade Zone, Lagos which represents specifically the essence and practicability of Dr. Peter Mbah’s disruptive innovation mantra which has been widely acknowledged and commended.

The journey of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited to the zenith of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum subsector aptly fits into Steven Jeffes view that: “Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop anew where few have dared to go.“

Dr. Peter Mbah’s innovative power and ingenuity can be traced not just to a natural endowment, intellectual prowess and creative ability that are obviously inherent in him but essentially to his training which by all measurements is qualitative with a significant bias on innovation. His brilliant training, further accentuated by a rich entrepreneurial experience, has fully prepared and equiped him to incubate ideas and drive an innovation – based growth.

In addition to holding a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of East London, he holds a Master of Law (LLM) Degree in Maritime and Commercial law, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and also a Graduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation which he acquired from the Oxford University, United Kingdom. He also participated in a number of executive certificate programmes, notably in Harvard Business School and Stanford University in the USA.

More so, he acquired sufficient digital competences needed by a present day leader. As a result, he demonstrates adequate knowledge and confidence in the critical use of information and communication technology which is a major tool in comprehending and applying digital technology. The understanding of high level computer knowledge is without doubt a sinequanon for appreciating and applying digital technology and innovations in necessary contexts.

Apparently, his wealth of digital competences is the reason he discusses state of the arts and complex technologies with ease. He has shown demonstrable ability to access and utilize digital media and ICT. It takes such level of development to understand and critically evaluate different aspects of complex subjects, strategies and contents that are ICT based or those that are of influenced contexts.

Suffice it to say that the man, Dr. Peter Mbah, is an embodiment of ideas. He has both the competence and character to provide the needed leadership. He has been described as a pundit who through rare sagacity, has launched himself into the Nigerian political space and as one who has endeared himself to the people of his state with his powerful ideas and style of politics which is totally devoid of bickering and rancour. Hence, his emergence as the PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general election and front-runner candidate for the number one job in the state, has resonated with the people of the state and warmly welcomed by all.

Peaceful by nature, tactful in style, Dr. Peter Mbah, is the man of the moment. All eyes are on this maestro who is expected to build on the legacies of peace and progress of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration to enact a revolutionary change in the socio-economic cum political dynamics of Enugu State.

He has proven to be a skilled and experienced business and political leader who is out to make a mark and not just a regular politician seeking relevance or a position for survival. He is recognized as one with extraordinary wisdom and knack for great works. His accomplishments are numerous, impressive, and exceeds what could be associated to a fluke or an ordinary man trying his luck or struggling to survive. He is driven purely by a passion to make impact and rewrite history.

Owing to his great wisdom, his wealth of knowledge and appeal to people, he ends up holding his audience spellbound whenever he is speaking. Everyone listening to him comes to that point where he wonders what manner of man he is. It beats everyone’s imagination how intelligently he responds to every question posed, how he addresses knotty issues and proffers solutions that are both appropriate and generally acceptable.

Those who do not know him are wondering who he is and what to expect from him but those who know him are eagerly looking forward to a replication of the turn-around he made at Pinnacle Oil in Enugu state when he takes over and pilots the affairs as Governor of the state.

In the opinion of Vanessa Obioha of Thisdaylive, “Mbah’s story is an affirmation that no matter one’s existential realities or limitations, one can accelerate to stardom and have a handshake with the sky.” This is a view that derives from the trajectory of Mbah’s life and his rise from a humble beginning to becoming not just a key player but essentially, one of the most dominant players in the oil industry in Nigeria within 50 years of age. As a direct consequence of his rare achievements, NewsWatch magazine in a special publication of July 3, 2006, described Mbah as “a man ahead of his time.”

The times we are demands leaders with Peter Mbah’s experiential knowledge and competence to take over the management of our resources and provide leadership that will impact positively on the society. In his own words, “the demands of our time require a good head; someone whose experience in both public and private life, as well as whose commitment to the general good, cannot be questioned.”

Barr. Peter Mbah doubtless inspires hope. This is a man that has demonstrated extraordinary competence not only in managing resources but in creating wealth. He is doubtless the right candidate with the capacity to change things for the better and move Enugu State yet to greater heights. The future we desire is wrapped up in his timely candidacy. We must not miss this opportunity.

According to the sage, Chinua Achebe, “you cannot plant greatness as you plant yams or maize. Who ever planted an Iroko tree – the greatest in the forest? You may collect all the Iroko seeds in the world, open the soil and put them there. it will be in vain. The great tree chooses where to grow and we find it there…so it is with greatness in men.” Barr. Peter Mbah is God’s gift to Ndi Enugu with proven capacity for extraordinary achievements. He is an outstanding man; greatness personified. Besides, he is a man cut out for the unusual, one who is prepared to run the race of life with determination and vigour. Taking Enugu State to an enviable level is the heartbeat of this great man with whom God has blessed the state.

In his remarkable manifesto, he stated: “my life experiences are the wings that propel me to serve Ndi Enugu, my people, so that together, we may create wealth and prosperity for all.”

November 24, 2022
Peter Ndubuisi Mbah: Acceptance to the Utmost Bounds

By Reuben Onyishi (Ugoachataberu)

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has swept through the Enugu political landscape so wildly beyond the utmost bounds of acceptance, thereby ferociously demolishing within a short while every make-believe Satanic stronghold of vile but mischievous castigation.

The message of hope Peter preaches has percolated into the political consciousness of the people of Enugu State. The people have purged themselves of the infestation of the contrived fictions of the labourers, labouring in vain to cast slur on his candidature.

Peter has come with the good news of economic exponential growth tied to clear strategic objectives on the productive and social services sectors. It is a message that resonates with the hopes of seamless transition and consolidation of the strong foundation which Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has laid. It is a message of disruptive transformation that would catapult the state and its people to unprecedented prosperity. The message is a delight to the soul. With Peter Mbah on the throne, Enugu shall continue to sing Hallelujah.

That which Peter sets out to do is heroic.The narrative of the hero in epic tradition is that divinity has found expression in humanity. It is the anointing of extra-human qualities on a mere mortal whose deeds overawe human comprehension. Peter is a hero with pragmatic antecedents of unexampled turnarounds. These many acts of heroism Peter shall reenact in Enugu State as soon as he assumes office in May 2023 as the governor of Enugu State.

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai, (Happy birthday to Ossai) have a call in leadership. They are anointed to lead. They,therefore, preach good tidings to the meek with a view to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to appoint all that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, as we read in Isaiah 61:1-3. Flesh and blood did not reveal to Peter the true knowledge of transformational leadership; the spirit did. Upon this rock, the revelation and understanding of the workings of governance and economy, shall Enugu State be established and the gates of hell shall neither prevail nor obstruct the crystalization of the good Mbah embodies.

Isaiah 61 is a metaphorical encapsulation of that which Peter has come to do.The message is clear and the people of Enugu State have received it with unreserved acceptance. Paul planted; Apollos watered. Governor Ugwuanyi has done his part which in itself is superlative and has provided Peter a solid foundation to greater achievements. The fact that Ugwuanyi chose Peter over relationship interests shows to what extent Ugwuanyi is convinced about the capacity Peter carries. As a matter of fact, the average Enugu citizen is enamoured of the Mbah candidacy, commends Ugwuanyi for the choice of Peter Mbah and looks forward to his enthronement, the understanding being that Ugwuanyi’s choice of Peter Mbah is in itself a landmark achievement.

Enugu believes in the message Peter preaches because he had demonstrated that the firstlings of his mind filled with creative and visionary ideas are the firstlings of his hands when he moved a relatively unknown firm in the downstream oil and gas sector from obscurity to limelight, as Pinnacle took the lead in that sector in terms of revenue and market share. In essence, Peter is the real Okaaome, not the travesty such as is being paraded with nothing to show for it. Incidentally, the fog is cleared off the people’s eyes, for the misguided overambition is cast to the dustbin of rueful history and political misadventure.

Little wonder the people of Enugu State have warmly embraced Peter Mbah, impatiently waiting to elect him the governor of Enugu State come March, 2023. His fame is noised abroad and in all nooks and crannies of the state Peter is on everyone’s lips as they marvel at the so many virtues that have come to crystalize in Peter, a rare breed, filled from top to the toe with knowledge, wisdom, resourcefulness and many uncommon abilities to drive Enugu State to unexplored heights.

November 14, 2022
Enugu PDP guber candidate, Mbah, commences townhall meetings, as Aninri charges him to deploy Pinnacle’s strategy to transform state

At interactive town hall meetings held on Tuesday in Aninri North and Aninri West Development Centres in Aninri local government area of Enugu State, the people of the area, made up of different communities, have appealed to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, to extend the skills and initiatives he used in building the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd from scratch to the topmost global player in the downstream sector of the Nigerian economy to develop Enugu State when he wins the March 2023 governorship election.

The people who described the town hall meetings as the first of its kind since the creation of the state, expressed confidence that the ruling party’s governorship flagbearer will spur economic transformation in the state, expressing confidence that the communities that constitute Aninri council area will benefit immensely from Mbah’s programmes having gone through his robust, people-oriented manifesto.

The town hall meeting, kicked off today at the two development centres, following the unveiling of the PDP Campaign Council in the state by the campaign director general of the party, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, was meant to serve as a platform where community leaders, professional bodies, women organizations, youth organizations, religious bodies, civil society organizations, non-governmental bodies, members of the press, members of the business community, including traders, farmers, artisans, would have the opportunity to present their needs to the gubernatorial candidate and what they should expect on his assumption of office in 2023.

Members of the various communities who took turns to address Mbah on pertinent issues confronting them, said they believed in the industrialist’s sincerity purpose to work and deliver a better Enugu State to the people.

Speaking at the interactive sessions, which drew the presence of large numbers of the grassroots’ dwellers, the Chairman of the local government area, Hon. Benneth Ajah assured his people that Mbah was prepared to work for them having left his comfort zone at Pinnacle to change the narrative in the state.

Underscoring how the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer was able to transform the downstream sector through his radical innovative drive, the council boss urged him to do the same thing in the state as the citizens were eagerly waiting to vote for him.

A House of Assembly member representing Aninri State Constituency, Hon. Chinedu Okwu, while assessing the state of development in the area, commended the PDP for providing the platform for the giant strides and development the people had witnessed over the past years, saying new roads and other infrastructures were made possible through the efforts of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and the state government.

He, however, called on Mbah to look at the state of the feeder roads, healthcare system and education in the area, stressing that they needed to be upgraded.

Describing Nenwe and Oduma communities as housing influential leaders in the state, Okwu said the only language know to them is, PDP.

On his part, the PDP candidate for Enugu West senatorial zone, Engr. Osita Ngwu stated that Mbah had presented the best and only acceptable manifesto in the state whose message they had already taken down to the people at the grassroots. He further appreciated the governorship hopeful for finding it worthy to commence his town hall meetings in the zone.

In their separate speeches, Engr. Magnus Edeh, the PDP candidate for House of Assembly in the council area, Hon. Okezie Nwanjoku, Mrs. Ann Dolly, Dr. Theodore Odih, Mr Godwin Anyim, Mr. Basil Orji, who spoke for the youths, Igwe Daniel Njoku, Mrs. Angelina Nweze, Comr. Oluchukwu Uchenna, Hon. Chukwu Nonye Okereke, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Osondu Eze, who spoke for the Presidents General in Nenwe, Chief Ben Alukwu, among others, extolled Mbah’s initiative on the gathering, saying it had afforded them the opportunity to interact and bare their minds on the pressing needs in their communities.

According to them, Mbah, who had started the journey on a good note, will earn their votes and their continued support after the election.

They further called on him to help the communities with accessible water, good healthcare system, youth employment, feeder roads, women empowerment, subsidy in their agriculture, and enhance their schools.

The people who said they were mostly into agriculture, urged the business mogul to provide the enabling environment and facilities such rice mills, storage equipment, to enable them produce in large quantities.

Addressing the issues raised by the communities, Mbah expressed satisfaction at their level of active responses to the meeting, insisting that his plan to give the people a new lease of life through new infrastructures, empowerment, youth and women engagements, construction of new and upgrading of existing hospitals with adequate staffing will be hastened by his administration.

According to him, the town hall meetings became imperative because his government would like to hit the ground running immediately he assumes office, disclosing that despite the manifesto which he had earlier presented, he would want the people to take ownership of the project by being part of the government.

Assessing the value of agriculture in the area, Mbah said although the level of production was sub-optimal, his administration would make agriculture in Aninri the state’s crude oil, contributing 40% of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“In Aninri, we have crude oil in agriculture because you have arable land. Agriculture contributes 40% of our GDP. So, we don’t want to call it agriculture alone but agro-allied industry. It’s no longer going to be subsistence production. We are going to commercial production because will add value to the process.

“We will have agro-allied processing industry that will produce at optimal level. We are going to create a value chain that will scale up our production. We want to make many of our people wealthy from agriculture,” he said.

Mbah further added that he would construct more roads, spanning 10,000 kilometers in the state if elected in the state, while declaring that investment and development would not be possible without good roads first in place. He promised that his administration’s plan in the transportation sector will go beyond roads to light rail transportation system across the state which will make movements of goods and persons easier than the existing state of affairs.

Reiterating that his plans for the state are ambitious, the Pinnacle boss further said new schools with adequately trained teachers will be recruited to give their children the best education, adding that vocational and skills acquisition centres where youths and school children will be engaged will be established.

He promised to partner community leaders, women and youth groups to make sure that all their concerns were addressed with prompt attention, urging them to vote for the PDP as it’s only the party that can make the state a preferred destination for investors, exponentially grow the economy, make Enugu the ICT hub of the Southeast, provide the encouraging environment for “Made in Enugu” products, and turn the state to the food basket of the region with the capacity to feed itself and become a net exporter of agricultural produce through technology.

November 9, 2022
President Buhari set to commission Pinnacle Oil Tank in Lagos

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

President Muhammadu Buhari is set to commission an FZE Terminal belonging to Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited in the Lekki Free Trade Zone Terminal.

In a brief statement made available to Pacesetter Magazine, the Presidential commissioning is set to hold on Saturday, October 22, 2022 by 11am at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, and will be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The terminal is a major disruptive innovation which would transform the whole downstream value chain.

The CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited also described the terminal as a resilient infrastructure with the capacity to export and import from the same pipeline.

Meanwhile, he expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon become a net exporter of refined products.

“We have built a resilient infrastructure. We have the capability to export and import from the same pipeline.

“We believe that over time, with the investment we are seeing, Nigeria will become the net exporter of refined products,” he said.

Pinnacle is an Indigenous Oil and Gas company active across the entire downstream value chain, with emphasis on the petroleum trading, marketing, distribution and retail segments of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector.

The company was founded in 2004 with headquarters in Lagos, one of Africa’s largest business hubs.

Commencing operations in 2008, Pinnacle has a 23 percent leading market share in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Mr. Peter Mbah, is the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Enugu State.

More details later…

October 18, 2022
Highlights of the Media ‘Meet & Greet’ with Enugu PDP Gov Candidate, Mbah & Deputy Gov Candidate, Ossai

Highlights of the Media ‘Meet & Greet’ with Enugu PDP Gov Candidate, Mbah & Deputy Gov Candidate, Ossai

…We envision a state that will become one of the top 3 states in the country in terms of GDP

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship candidate, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Deputy Governorship candidate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, played host to members of the Enugu On-Air-Personalities and Online Publishers, in quite an interactive meet and greet session, held Monday, July 25, 2022 at The Base Landmark Event Center, Enugu.

Emphasizing that the interaction wasn’t an official unveiling of his campaign manifestos but the first in a series of such interactions which will continue, even when elected as governor, Mr. Mbah asked that the people hold him accountable when elected as governor.

In his words, “We are very pleased to have you honour this invitation. This sort of interaction is necessary for us to get our people informed so that they will know what to get from us as their government.

“The event of May 25, 2022, saw to my emergence as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 elections. It’s important that you understand the implications of that for Ndi Enugu.

“If you look at the last seven years, you would have observed an appreciable growth in a number of sectors. We have seen brand new infrastructures across the 3 senatorial zones. We are one of those few states where her workers receive their salaries promptly and fully. We’re also, arguably, the most peaceful and secure state to live in in Nigeria today”.

Harping on governance as a continuum, Mbah stated his willingness to, not minding the existential threat facing the nation, not only maintain the gains and achievements of the PDP government since 1999, but to also build on them.

“Three days ago, the Minister of Finance said that 6.7 trillion will be projected for the payment of subsidies next year. If we spend this amount on payment of subsidies, the rest of our revenue won’t be enough to service our debt. We may go to Abuja by next year and be told that there’s no money. As a government, we cannot come back and tell our people that there is no money to put food on the table.

“Someone with a good head is required to take our state to that point where we can insulate ourselves from the troubles of the federation and harness our natural resources to create wealth and employment. I ask our people to give us the benefit of the doubt because we know we can do this, we understand what we are talking about clearly”, Mbah said.

Here are some highlights of the interaction as curated by our correspondent:

Citizens Charter: We are making it clear that we have a mission to have a quality, people focused governance and to make Enugu state the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.

We will provide and codify a Citizens Charter. It will contain a comprehensive plan of action. When elected, we want our people to hold us accountable on the things we have promised we will do. We hope to foster trust and participation by the citizens in the process of governance through the Charter. Social services like Education, Health, Water, Youth employment will abound in our administration.

Enugu’s Economy: We envision a state that will become one of the top three states in the country in terms of GDP.

We will grow Enugu’s GDP to 30 billion dollars from the current 4.4 billion dollars. We will do this by growing our economy in seven folds. It is neither a walk in the park nor a tea party. It would require an exponential growth, a quantum leap. We will not do this by doing things in a better way, we seek to do things differently. Doing things in a better way will only secure marginal or incremental growth but doing it differently through what we refer to as the disruptive innovation, as we did with my signature brand, Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited, will amount to an exponential growth.

Strategic Objectives: We have clear strategic objectives. Coincidentally, our strategic objectives are also anchored on the acronym of our party, PDP, which stands for Peace, Development and Prosperity. These 3 items are integrated and mutually reinforced. We will sustain the current peace that we have and build on it. You cannot have sustainable development without peace, and cannot have peace without sustainable development. We will have a 3 pronged approach to the issue of peace and security. There will be 4 core values of our governing principles.

Community Policing: We will be deploying technology in community policing schemes to enhance security.

Oil, Gas and Coal: Enugu is a coastal state, not a land locked state. There is water in the state, there’s also a huge deposit of oil and gas. We have an Oil field jointly owned with Anambra and Kogi. OPL 905, 907and 914 can be accessed in Enugu state and we will explore these to get Enugu to become one of the oil producing states in the country.

We have the very best deposit of coal and our state have already obtained mining rights from the federal government. We will mine the coal and generate funds for the state.

Agriculture: We want to achieve a 0% rate in our poverty headcount index.

Our administration will scale up agricultural production in the state as a part of means to achieve it. Small scale and Large scale agriculture will be encouraged so that we can achieve a Net exportation. Agriculture is our crude oil and we shall attract investors in that sector despite the challenges in the land tenure systems and make sure investors go to the rural areas. We have an ambitious programme for agriculture where the state would be earning up to 10 billion annually.

IT: We will seek advancing Information Technology so that Enugu will be the Data centre of the Southeast. We will do this by enabling a favourable business environment to attract investors and allow the private sector to invest. A business environment that’ll enable Google, Microsoft, Facebook, to locate offices in our state. Our government will be government enabled-private sector driven.

We hope to Implement E-governance and offer quality, people focused governance to take the government to the people through their handheld devices.

Tourism: There will be an Afro Disney, a replica of what is obtainable in the US. We will seek the intervention and partnership of the Ministry of Aviation to resuscitate the International wing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport which has been unused since construction.

Our Slogan: Growing up, we realize that as students, assignments given to us were always pushed to be done tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, we push it to the next day, delaying things till the last hour, until we are choked up. By saying ‘Tomorrow is here’, it explains that activities will no longer be procrastinated till tomorrow. They will be taken care of now, here, today.

July 26, 2022
Group, Obuoffia Youths for Peter Mbah, congratulates Enugu PDP Guber standard-bearer, Mbah

Group, Obuoffia Youths for Peter Mbah, congratulates Enugu PDP Guber standard-bearer, Mbah

…lauds Governor Ugwuanyi, Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

A political support group, Obuoffia Youths for Peter Mbah, has congratulated the Enugu State PDP Flag-bearer, Barr. Peter Mbah, on his emergence to fly the party’s flag as her governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections.

In a statement signed by the Director General of the group, Henry Okeke, in Enugu and made available to newsmen, the group also lauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for what the statement described as his “precedence, legacies and unique leadership style that can never be outweighed in the leadership of Enugu state”.

The group, comprised of the entire youths of Obuoffia, Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, also extended sincere gratitude to a former governor of Old Anambra state, former Senator & Minister and an elder statesman, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo for “his fatherly advice and strength to stand firm in supporting the Project of Nkanu mandate in producing the next governor”.

Going further, the group acknowledged the efforts of a former Governor of the state and Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial zone, Senator Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, whom they referred to as the founding father of the Ebeano Political Dynasty.

The statement reads: “Obuoffia Youths for Peter Mbah, a political support group comprised of the entire youths of Obuoffia, Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, congratulates and rejoices with our dear brother of Nkanu Land, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for emerging as the governorship standard flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu state for the 2023 general election.

“We extend sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (Jim as fondly called), former Governor of Old Anambra state that cut across parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra and the entirety of Enugu state, for his fatherly advice and strength to stand firm in supporting the project of Nkanu mandate in producing the next governor come 2023.

“We say, more grease to your elbow. We pray for God to give you long life and more wisdom to continue to advice and guide Enugu people aright.

“We also acknowledge the political big weight, a former Governor of Enugu State and founding father of the Ebeano Political Dynasty, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Chimaroke Ogbonnaya Nnamani, the king maker who has found, nurtured and produced quality political leaders in the state today. Among them is Barr. Peter Mbah.

“We are saying ‘jide ka ị ji’, the game changer, because you have changed the political narrative in the state and beyond. The Obuoffia Youths loves you #Ebeano!

“We further expresses our profound gratitude to our distinguished governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu Enugu state); ‘the earthworm that has no digger nor shovel but penetrates the earth’, ‘Oje na nwayo adighi emeru aru’.

“Your Excellency, your precedence, legacies and unique leadership style can never be outweighed in the leadership of Enugu state. Since assumption of office, we have been the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

“We also thank you for clearing the conundrum that was heaved in Enugu political structure before the state PDP primaries.

“In your wisdom and by the help of God, you have navigated through the raging storm peacefully and today we are glad for the viable candidature of Barr. Peter Mbah as your successor. Enugu state is truly in the hands of God”.

Stressing on the appropriateness of Mbah’s emergence, the Director General noted that he (Mbah) founded Pinnacle Oil and Gas and was adjudged the best performing Commissioner for Finance in Nigeria when he served in that capacity from 2005-2007.

Okeke expressed confidence in Mbah’s capacity as a man of value and renown for wealth creation and strategic development.

“We are glad that the PDP delegates elected a qualified man; it is a win for the good people of Enugu state. No doubt, his records and achievements speak volumes of his personality and pedigree to govern Enugu state with humility and honor.

“Having severed the state as the Chief of Staff and later as Commissioner for Finance in the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani led administration, and having founded Pinnacle Oil and Gas, controlling about 23% of the entire market share of the downstream sector in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, we are happy as youths that such a man of value and renown for wealth creation and strategic development has come to replicate such feat he has demonstrated in Pinnacle Oil and Gas in the economy and general welfare of Enugu state.

“Newswatch magazine’s special publication of 3rd July, 2006, spoke of the exceptional advancements he (Mbah) made in the state’s fiscal operations and the strategy document he created, which became the operating document for the Enugu state government’s development programs.

“Mbah, the youths of our community are entirely and solidly behind you. Our support to your victory is undivided and we shall employ all resources at our disposal to deliver you the final victory.

“Indeed Tomorrow is here”, the statement read.

Saluting the traditional head of Obuoffia and traditional ruler of Omuoha autonomous community, HRH Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, for his prayers for the standard-bearer, Okeke said “Through foresight, our King opened his palace and received Barr. Peter Mbah before the primaries, and poured him blessings of success with the ancestoral ofor of Obuoffia in his custody.

“We have seen that the prayers have started to work and will work to the ultimate victory of Mbah’s election as the governor of the state in 2023 general election.

“We are for him as we know he is for us and means well for our entire community”, he said.

July 1, 2022
[Opinion] The emergence of Peter Mbah and the future of Enugu State

[Opinion] The emergence of Peter Mbah and the future of Enugu State

By Buchi Nnaji

Reminiscing over the activities of the 2022 People’s Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial primary election in Enugu State and it’s eventual outcome, brings one to a logical conclusion that indeed, Enugu State is in the hands of God. A contest that was anticipated by many individuals to be ladened with inescapable rancour and violence, ended up being peaceful with virtually no misunderstanding. This wouldn’t have been achieved without the tactful roles played behind the scene by the leader of the PDP in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and other prominent stakeholders.

It started gradually with media battles, between proponents of Enugu State zoning arrangement and those who were opposed to it, probably because it didn’t favour their ambition at this time. The principles of zoning and it’s positive and negative implications were thoroughly dissected with heated arguments that saw many facts exposed. While a school of thought insisted that there was no documentary evidence to back zoning agreement, others maintained it was a gentleman’s agreement enshrined in the hearts and conscience of Enugu State citizens.

Eventually, a document surfaced in the form of the minutes of Enugu State PDP expanded stakeholders meeting held on 7th July, 2013 during the reign of HE Sullivan Iheanacho Chime as the Executive Governor of Enugu State. According to the minutes of the meeting, the issue of zoning and power rotation was discussed and it was agreed that “the Gubernatorial ticket of the party (PDP) shall move to Enugu North Senatorial District after the tenure of Sullivan I. Chime and thereafter move to Enugu East Senatorial District with an understanding that the cycle of zoning continues in that order.” Accompanying the minutes was an attendance list duly signed by the stakeholders, among whom were those who later claimed that the issue was never discussed.

After all said and done, superior argument in support of zoning finally had the day, with more than 98% of the delegates from across the state voting for Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who is from Nkanu East LGA, in Enugu East Senatorial Zone. The decision made by the delegates through their votes and on behalf of the people of Enugu State, further buttressed the indelible fact that power rotation, otherwise known as zoning, practically exist in Enugu State, and forms the basis for the inherent political peace and harmony in the state.

The contest was tough and full of intrigues, with many qualified aspirants, of which prominent among them was Capt. Evarest Nnaji (Odengene), who is also from Nkanu East LGA. Capt. Nnaji was the closest contender for the PDP governorship ticket, but as faith may have it, Barr. Peter Mbah was favoured, while Capt. Evarest Nnaji withdrew from the race barely 24hours before the election. Another major contestant was Barr. Chijioke Edeoga from Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu East Senatorial District, whom many believed that his relationship with the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi would fetch him the anointing of the governor as his successor.

Moreso, the former Deputy President of Nigeria Senate, Ike Ekweremadu on his own part was yet another aspirant who made significant push towards clinching the PDP guber ticket, but his ambition was dead on arrival because the existing zoning arrangement in the state did not favor him, having come from Enugu West Senatorial Zone. Rumours had it that Ekweremadu who also withdrew from the PDP guber contest at late hours, went secretly to negotiate with the national leadership of All Progressive Congress, APC for the party’s guber ticket to be given to him. According to the unconfirmed rumor, all his efforts were in vain as APC had already elected Mr. Uche Nnaji as her flagberearer for the 2023 guber election.

At the end of the PDP electioneering processes, the maturity displayed by the other sixteen aspirants as regards to Peter Mbah’s victory is overwhelming and rare. Following Gov Ugwuanyi’s guide, and the direction of the interests of major stakeholders in the state, some of the aspirants withdrew from the contest, while some others stepped down for Barr. Peter Mbah just before voting commenced. Those moves howbeit signifies love, cooperation and loyalty to the PDP and Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s leadership in Enugu State. The gesture did not stop there, as all the other sixteen aspirants went ahead to support and endorse the candidature of Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer for the 2023 election in Enugu State.

In a later development, Capt. Evarest Nnaji in keeping with the truce, which according to him, he earlier had with Barr. Peter Mbah during the struggle for the PDP governorship ticket, summoned all his supporters and followers and appealed to them to accept the outcome of the PDP primary election that saw Peter Mbah emerge as the standard bearer. He directed them to henceforth, throw all their supports behind Peter Mbah and work together for the overall victory of PDP in the 2023 general election.

Mbah on his part demonstrated that he is a good team player and a unifier by appreciating his co-contestants for their solidarity and assuring them that when successfully elected in 2023, he would run an all-inclusive government. His actions before, during and after the primary election has left no one in doubt that the new Enugu of our dream is here; hence, his campaign slogan, “Tomorrow is here”. The peaceful and ceremonious atmosphere that greeted his landslide victory at the May 25th PDP guber primary election is a clear indication that majority of Enugu State people are on the right path to enthrone quality leadership that will wipe tears from the faces of many citizens.

Looking at the intimidating profile of Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, it is obvious that the people of Enugu State already have every reason to celebrate the coming of an entrepreneur; a technocrat who is poised to positively change the economic value of the state, thereby greatly improving the living standard of the people. In the nearest future, Enugu State is expected to be industrialized; this is the expectation of many citizens, owing to the fact that a successful entrepreneur is going to take over the mantle of leadership by divine grace.

Peter Mbah, having demonstrated his business acumen by establishing and growing Pinnacle Oil Ltd. to an enviable height, is expected to bring his professional and entrepreneurial skills to bear by making Enugu State an industrial hub. By so doing, a lot of job opportunities will spring up, thereby absorbing many unemployed youths.

Other pertinent issues that the masses so much desire to be addressed by the incoming administration is that of unavailability of water supply. Water is among the basic need of man, and any government that want to be rated high in terms of performance must make frantic effort to ensure steady water supply to the people. Peter Mbah’s administration is also expected to do a lot in protecting the lives and properties of citizens and residents of Enugu State, reconstruct major roads in Enugu metropolis and rural access roads, among others.

Conclusively, it is obvious that the task ahead is complex, yet, expectations are very high, and the incoming administration would need the prayers and unalloyed support of the masses to succeed in building the much desired Enugu State of our dream; all hands must be on deck!

June 28, 2022