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Gov. Ugwuanyi presents N166.603 billion 2023 budget estimates to State House of Assembly
…Targets completion of on-going projects, consolidate on past achievement
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state on Thursday presented the state’s 2023 budget of One Hundred and Sixty-Six Billion, Six Hundred and Two Million, Four Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Seven hundred and Seventy Naira (NGN166,602,416,770.00) to the House of Assembly for approval.
Presenting the 2023 budget proposal tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Transition”, Governor Ugwuanyi stated that the budget which will be implemented by his administration between January and May 2023 is intended to conclude all on-going projects as much as possible, consolidate his administration’s achievements in the past seven and half years, and transit the state into the capable hands of the inbound administration.
The governor disclosed that the estimated budget size of N166,602,416,770.00 is 10.73 percent lower than the 2022 budget “because the target in 2023 is to conclude all on-going projects and consolidate on our achievements in the past seven and half years.”
He added that out of the total budget size, the sum of N81,903,799,370.00 representing 49% is for recurrent expenditure while N84,698,617,400.00 representing 51% is for capital expenditure.
Governor Ugwuanyi explained that the 2023 budget is guided by the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2023-2025 and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and anchored on the National Macroeconomic assumptions, namely; National Inflation Rate of 17.16 percent, National Real GDP Growth of 3.75 percent, Oil Production Benchmark of 1.69 million barrels per day, Oil Price Benchmark of $70 per barrel, and Exchange Rate of N435.57 per US Dollar.
Hinting on the key deliverables of the 2023 budget, the governor stated that his administration’s fundamental intents include provision of security for life and property; construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of urban roads; opening up of several rural areas through the construction of rural and earth roads as well as bridges to link up communities for movement of persons, agricultural products, goods and services; rehabilitation of Oji Water Scheme and other water facilities under the French Development Agency (AFD) support for the 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project to upgrade water supply to Enugu Metropolis; construction, reconstruction and furnishing of classrooms for teaching and learning in basic education and provision of infrastructural facilities, science and hospital equipment for teaching and learning in the State University of Science and Applied Medical Sciences, SUMAS, Igbo-Eno.
Other key intents of his administration in the 2023 budget are infrastructural investments in the Judiciary to enhance the judicial environment for the dispensation of justice; expansion of the gains recorded in the Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project in the pursuit of food security in the state; provision of agricultural inputs, assets, and wet market infrastructure for food production and enhanced food processing; completion, furnishing, equipping and operationalisation of newly built healthcare facilities including the State Infectious Disease Hospital, Amenity building at Enugu-Ezike General Hospital, Ogrute, additional Type 3 Primary Healthcare Centres in Uzo-Uwani, Awgu and Aninri LGAs, Cottage hospitals with isolation wings etc for enhanced healthcare delivery; sustainable municipal waste management; upgrade of power installations and extension of power to rural communities of the state, among others.
On 2022 budget performance, Governor Ugwuanyi revealed that notable accomplishments of his administration in the year under reference include establishment of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State with facilities put in place in readiness for the take-off of academic activities in the medical university; cumulative construction and reconstruction of about 1,000 classroom blocks, 11 water boreholes, provision of 68,875 sets of plastic locker/chair, among other educational facilities; sustained funding of foreign and local scholarships in favour of indigenes of the state such as the 22 students currently studying medical and information technology courses in University of Mewar, India, 200 students in different higher institutions of learning and 42 students at various secondary schools within the country; and secure of fully funded postgraduate scholarships for 40 Enugu State students to study in various parts of Europe, America, Australia and Asia through the Mentorship Masterclass of Enugu State Scholarship Scheme and Loans Board, valued at over three billion naira (N3,000,000,000.00) in addition to the one million naira each provided to the 40 students by Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration.
Other achievements, according to the governor, include upgrade of the Accident and Emergency building of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu to a two-storey building, furnished and put to use as well as procurement of equipment such as Laparoscopic machine, Cardiotocography & Ultrasound (CTG & USS) machines, Feto-maternal patient monitor, among others to enhance the capacity of the hospital in diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and antenatal care; on-going construction of three (3) additional Model Type III Primary Healthcare Centres in Adani, Oduma and Agbogugu in Uzo-Uwani, Aninri and Awgu LGAs respectively in addition to the seven of them recently built and equipped by the present administration to boost the delivery of primary healthcare services across the state; the construction, landscaping and equipping of Amenity facility at Enugu-Ezike General Hospital, Ogrute, Igbo-Eze North LGA , which is almost completed; construction and reconstruction of several roads such as 5km University of Nigeria Nsukka (New Gate) by Nru Junction – 9th Mile-Makurdi expressway, Agbani Road (from Police Detective College – Garki Flyover by Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway and the 2.35KM access road to Legacy Estate, among others.
The governor stated that “efforts are underway to open up several rural areas through the construction of rural and earth roads to link up communities including Ugwuogo Nike – Agu Ukehe – Umunko road, Igbo Etiti LGA; Ozi Edem / Akpa Edem – Okpuje road, Lejja – Aku road with a spur to Amaobinna road, Ihe Ndiagu – Eha Alumona, Ikpa Market Road, Premier Junction (9th Mile – Markurdi Express way) road – Afor Market, Eha Alumona in Nsukka LGA, Amansiodo – Ihuonyia road in Ezeagu LGA, amongst others.”
According to him: “Other constructed, reconstructed and ongoing roads include: Prof. Ofili Ugwudioha Street, Independence Layout; Ugbaike, Enugu Ezike – Obollo Afor link road with smart solar street light; Eke Amala – Otukpo Old Road, Amadi – Agbougwu – Amajioke road, Umuokere- Igugu Road, Phase 1, Udenu LGA; Eke Like-Iheaka Junction-Amagu Uwani-Ekoi Iheaka-Ihunuowerre-Iheakpu awka road in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area; road network in the Crystal Court Estate beside NTA premises, Independence Layout; access road and internal road network in the House of Assembly Layout behind ENHA, Independence Layout; IMT Boulevard, Phase II; asphaltic concrete road and drainage system on the road leading to Udenu LGA; Ibagwa Junction-Ibagwa-Igbo-eze South Local Government Headquarters roundabout.”
Others are “Justice Nwazota Crescent-Ilogu Close, with a spur to Works Layout GRA; Spot improvements of urban roads within the Enugu Metropolis; Emergency erosion control and protective works at Atavu Stream, Amaechi-Amodu-Umueze Road, Nkanu West LGA; Neke/Mbu-Ogbodu Abba/Obollo Road at Chainage 3+210 in Isiuzo LGA; Asata River, Lagos Street, Enugu North LGA; Agu Orba and Imiliki Etiti in Udenu LGA; Ogui River at Works Road, GRA; University Road, Nsukka; Works Road at Works Layout, GRA amongst others; Mission Junction-Owolloti – Ogoma Ring Road (Phase II), Iwollo Oghe, Ezeagu LGA amongst others; Swamp reclamation at Works Road layout, GRA, Enugu.”
On improvement in water resources, Governor Ugwuanyi said that the 9th Mile Crash Borehole programme rehabilitation works have been completed and electricity power supplied (solar power), adding that the “Crash Programme produces over 10,000,000litres (10,000 cubic meters) of water per day into our daily water supply to Enugu metropolis.”
He stated that his administration procured and installed new pumps at Oji Water Scheme that has resulted in the production of 30,000,000litres (30,000cubic meters) of water per day to Enugu Metropolis, adding that a contractor has been selected for the complete rehabilitation of Oji Water Scheme under the French Development Agency (AFD) support for the Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (3rd NUWSRP).
“The AFD re-organisation programme for the water sector of Enugu State under the Institutional and Organizational Technical Assistance (ITA & OTA) programmes including the CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE WATER CORPORATION has commenced,” he said, revealing further that the completion of the rehabilitation of boreholes at Nsukka has increased water supply by over 10,000,000litres (10,000 cubic metres) of water daily.
He further stated that “pipeline network extension works to Justina Eze Street, Oloto Street, Techtonics Road, Umudiaka Community, Umuoyo Community, Amukwa Community, Ezema Nru Road, Mkpuruikwere Community, St. Theresa’s Road, Chinedu Ugwu Street, Eziama/Edem Community have been completed,” pointing out that his administration rehabilitated 2 Nos. boreholes at Lejja (Ejuona and Akaibite Communities) in Nsukka LGA; constructed 2 Nos. Solar – Powered RSI Inverter Borehole at Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA and provided Commercial Capacity Borehole at Mary Agro Farms Udi, Udi LGA, among others.
On security, Governor Ugwuanyi said that the Nigerian Army 82 Division Headquarters has set up a Military Base at Eha Amufu, Isi-Uzo LGA and Akpawfu, Nkanu East LGA, stating that the state government has deployed 20 high-performance motorcycles for use by the military to beef up internal security duties in Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Enugu South and Isi-Uzo LGAs.
The governor further disclosed that the provision of facilities at the Mopol 79 Squadron Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti LGA newly constructed by his administration has reached an advanced stage of completion, maintaining that “we have continued to provide modern communication equipment and required logistics for the maintenance of vehicles for the efficient functioning of the Nigerian Police, Enugu State Command and other security agencies.”
Speaking further on the 2022 budget achievements, Governor Ugwuanyi highlighted the laudable feats recorded in the areas of Judiciary, Agriculture, Enugu State Care Programme, Emergency Management, Tech Hubs and Youth Innovation Centres, Zik Centre, and his administration’s most consequential achievement, which is the listing of Enugu among the oil producing states in the country by the Federal Government through the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
The governor explained that “the economic import of this development (oil producing status) is that Enugu State becomes entitled to an equitable share of 13% of oil revenue under the 13% derivation principle as enshrined in section 162, sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. The huge economic benefits will soon kick in and is simply a game changer.”
“Mr. Speaker, we were able to record these modest achievements, and others not mentioned, in all facets of the state despite the surging inflation, unfavourable exchange rate, general insecurity in the country, incessant disruption of economic activities due to the indiscriminate sit-at-home orders in the South-East region occasioned by separatist agitations, the recent devastating flooding with its attendant destruction of farms, properties, loss of lives and livelihoods which left pain and misery in its wake. Regardless, we have continued to maintain a convivial atmosphere essential for progress.
“As we round off our 2nd and last Term in office by May 2023, it is our hope that the coming year will offer a healthier environment that allows us to consolidate our dear state on the part of progress and growth, advance and transit to the next administration. We are emboldened by our unshakable faith and trust in the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob and the awesome God of David,” he said.
Concluding the presentation, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi and his colleagues for their cherished cooperation and support since the inception of his administration, stressing that the state assembly has been the bedrock of his government’s equilibrium.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ubosi, on behalf of his colleagues, applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace and good governance in Enugu State as well as the manner the governor has managed the security of the state in the last seven and half years despite some challenges, stressing that Enugu remains one of the safest states in the country.
Rt. Hon. Ubosi commended the governor for the sacrifice and selfless efforts he made to ensure that Enugu joins the league of states enjoying oil producing status not minding the fact that “it is people that will come after you that will benefit it”.
The Speaker, therefore, assured Governor Ugwuanyi and the people of Enugu State of a thorough debating exercise and expeditious passage of the 2023 budget, stating that the members of the state House of Assembly will continue to work harmoniously with the governor to ensure that he fully actualises his lofty programmes and policies for the people of the state.
…CMD: Upgrades have strengthened specialist care and postgraduate training, as ESUTH secures multiple five-year accreditations
The administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has installed new surgical equipment and upgraded medical facilities valued at over N500 million at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu, as part of efforts to transform the institution into a world-class tertiary healthcare and specialist training centre, with the ultimate goal of making it one of the best teaching hospitals in Nigeria.
The Chief Medical Director of ESUTH, Prof. Bethrand Ngwu, disclosed this over the weekend when he conducted Government House Correspondents on an inspection of the newly installed facilities, including the main theatre, Accident and Emergency Department and specialised equipment for complex surgical procedures.
Chief Medical Director of ESUTH, Prof. Bethrand Ngwu
Prof. Ngwu said the upgrades were strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide faster and more specialised care to patients, while also supporting postgraduate medical training and accreditation.
“Those machines provided by His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, are all aimed at postgraduate accreditation by these two big institutions, the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Surgeons,” he said.
But beyond professional requirements, the CMD said the upgrades were designed to make a tangible difference in the treatment of patients, particularly those arriving in emergencies.
He said the upgraded Accident and Emergency Department was being developed to function as an autonomous unit where patients could undergo necessary investigations and receive immediate treatment without being moved unnecessarily between different sections of the hospital.
“When he came, the Accident and Emergency was empty. But now you can see how beautiful it is looking. That is what he wants. He wants here to look beautiful, efficient and functional. And that is where we are going,” Ngwu said.
According to him, the arrangement would enable emergency patients to undergo necessary tests and receive immediate treatment within the unit, while those requiring surgery could be operated on there and later transferred to the ward after stabilisation.
Prof. Ngwu said the new equipment had also expanded the hospital’s capacity to undertake highly specialised procedures such as neurosurgery.
He disclosed that the neurosurgical theatre had received new operating tables, ventilators and specialised anaesthetic equipment fitted with capnography, which enables doctors to monitor carbon dioxide levels during complex operations.
Ngwu said ESUTH had recorded several accreditation successes across its specialist programmes since 2023, while explaining that accreditation was essential because resident doctors must train in accredited programmes before proceeding to their professional examinations.
“Accreditation is a regular thing. Because if you do not have accreditation, you cannot even go for professional examination,” he said.
He noted that ESUTH had also recently received accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which oversees undergraduate medical training, with the hospital’s MBBS quota subsequently increased to 350 medical students.
According to him, the hospital had secured five-year accreditations from the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Surgeons in areas including Family Medicine, Anaesthesia, Physiotherapy and Radiography, while its School of Nursing had also been upgraded to a College of Nursing.
Also, the hospital is preparing for another round of postgraduate accreditations in October, with the Accident and Emergency and Surgery departments among the areas to undergo review by the relevant professional bodies.
Prof. Ngwu said Parklane’s specialist manpower was another major strength of the institution, disclosing that the hospital had approximately 126 full-time consultants as of December 2025 and 50 part-time consultants currently, covering different fields of specialty, including paediatric surgery and neurosurgery.
He disclosed further that the hospital had nearly 300 resident doctors, 540 nurses and 120 house officers, adding that Governor Mbah had also granted approval for a further increase in the hospital’s manpower.
On reports of an ongoing strike by resident doctors, the CMD confirmed that they had indeed embarked on a partial strike, but said the action lasted less than three weeks before it was called off following the resolution of the misunderstanding.
The CMD said the hospital’s resident doctors were benefiting from the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), introduced by the Mbah administration to support specialist training and professional examinations. He said the government had this year paid the MRTF for 266 resident doctors, at nearly N1 million per doctor.
“This Medical Residency Training Fund was not in place before Governor Mbah came. He introduced it. He said every doctor should go for more training,” Ngwu said.
Prof. Ngwu said the administration had also invested in the training and welfare of interns across different health professions, including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and radiology, providing them with the necessary environment for their compulsory one-year professional training.
He said the interns had expressed appreciation for the intervention and were planning a statewide sporting championship in honour of the governor.
The CMD further disclosed that the hospital was working towards completing a new multi-storey medical and diagnostic complex containing several theatres, advanced laboratories, intensive care units and recovery rooms.
He explained that management had decided to refurbish the existing theatre complex rather than wait for the new building to be completed because postgraduate doctors currently undergoing training needed the facilities for their examinations and accreditation exercises.
According to him, the existing theatre building had been refurbished and modified in line with requirements raised by the National Postgraduate Medical College, including improvements to its access points, lighting and other essential facilities.
He said the new medical complex would eventually provide expanded capacity for surgical procedures, intensive care and post-operative recovery, while the existing facility could subsequently be removed, converted to another use or further modernised.
Prof. Ngwu also outlined measures being put in place to ensure that the multimillion-naira equipment would remain functional and deliver value over the long term.
He said the hospital was training biomedical engineers and technicians while also entering into service agreements with equipment suppliers to provide maintenance for between two and three years after installation.
“The whole essence is that if an equipment is bought or installed, and is maintained for two or three years, before the end of that period, we must have had or trained people who will continue to maintain and manage it,” he said.
The CMD added that the hospital was also adopting a backup strategy for critical equipment to ensure that services would not be disrupted when a machine was undergoing servicing or developed a fault.
He cited imaging equipment as an example, saying some machines were currently undergoing servicing while additional equipment supplied by the state government provided backup capacity.
Prof. Ngwu said the upgraded facilities were available to all patients, regardless of their social or economic status, dismissing reports that the new Accident and Emergency building was reserved for VIPs.
“Whether you are rich or poor, we accept you, and no part of this hospital is reserved for VIPs. Reports that the new Accident and Emergency building is exclusively reserved for VIPs are false and should be disregarded. This is our hospital,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for its interventions at Parklane, saying the upgrades had significantly changed the physical and professional environment at the hospital.
“The upgrades we have witnessed in this hospital over the past three years of Governor Mbah’s administration have been substantial and cut across every sector. But His Excellency prefers to let his work speak for itself. He does not make noise about what he does. He simply focuses on getting things done and done properly,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks in Europe, declaring that he is hale, healthy and ready to resume work.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday evening after arriving in Lagos from Paris, where he had spent the latter part of his working vacation.
Responding to journalists who asked about concerns raised about his health condition, the President said he remained fit and prepared to continue his duties.
“Rumours will always emanate from politics. I am hale and strong. I am ready to work. The fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu said.
The President had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, with the Presidency describing the trip as a working vacation.
He later extended his stay by a few days before returning to Nigeria on Tuesday.
His prolonged absence from the country had generated public and political debate, with opposition figures questioning the length of his stay abroad and his decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency, however, maintained that Tinubu remained in touch with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including the UN General Assembly.
During his time in France, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency also linked his stay to engagements with investors and discussions around major investment projects, including the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun State.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for the 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
He is scheduled to attend official engagements in the state, including activities marking Nigeria’s independence on October 1, before returning to Abuja.
The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Johannesburg has condemned the deaths of three Nigerian nationals killed in different parts of South Africa in less than one week, between September 18 and 21, 2026.
In a statement issued today, the Consulate said the killings raise fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa and point to what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians.
According to the Consulate, on September 18, 2026, one Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu allegedly jumped to his death while trying to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.
On September 20, 2026, another Nigerian, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, was shot dead at Spanata Bar and Grill Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, by an unidentified South African.
The deceased, who worked as a security guard at the club located in Summer Event Centre, was said to have attempted to stop a customer from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the club.
The encounter degenerated into an altercation, and the customer pulled out his firearm and shot Olatunde in the lower body, leading to serious injury and profuse loss of blood.
“The shooter immediately fled the scene. However, on realising that his identity was known by many at the Club, he later returned to the Club and threatened to also kill any witnesses who dare to report the case and identify him to the Police,” the statement said.
Olatunde was rushed to Mamelodi Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on the morning of September 21, 2026.
The third incident occurred on September 21, 2026, in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, where South African politician-cum-investigative content creator, Xolani Khumalo, and his content creation team, Sizok’thola, allegedly tortured and killed Christian Hillary Nnaemeka.
The Consulate said that, despite not finding anything incriminating on the deceased, the crew beat and tortured him before he attempted to escape by jumping over a fence, after which he collapsed from injuries and exhaustion and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The Consulate recalled that on February 9, 2026, another Nigerian, Emeka Clement Uzor, was also shot dead by the same Khumalo’s reality TV crew in Windsor East, Randburg, yet no arrests have been made and Khumalo is currently running for election to become Mayor of Ekurhuleni.
“Reports of these continuous incidents are deeply troubling and continue to raise numerous questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa,” the Consulate said, calling on relevant South African authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and bring perpetrators to justice.
“Our position remains that Nigerian and all lives matter. In cases where allegations may exist, no matter what they are, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent,” it added.
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