Elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has commissioned the newly renovated and re-equipped Neonatal and Special Babies Ward at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu.

The commissioning formed part of the activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration which was attended by top government officials, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in the health sector.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the intervention and described it as a major boost to healthcare delivery and neonatal care in the state.

He also praised the former governor for coming out to honour the unveiling of the project despite his busy schedules, saying his love for the people of the state would continue to resonate with the administration.

The project, which was facilitated through the Cecilia Oyebola Foundation founded by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Yomi Jaye, was equipped with modern incubators, infusion and syringe pumps, phototherapy equipment, autoclave machines, baby monitoring devices and upgraded nursing facilities aimed at improving neonatal care and reducing infant mortality.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Mbah during the ceremony, Prof. Onyia lauded Dr. Jaye for his dedication and personal sacrifice towards advancing healthcare delivery in Enugu State.

According to him, the intervention reflected the culture of service and collective responsibility encouraged by the Mbah administration, where public officials contribute beyond their official responsibilities towards the development of the state.

He described Dr. Jaye, who also marked his 51st birthday, as a committed and exemplary public servant whose dedication continued to strengthen confidence in the administration’s healthcare transformation agenda.

Prof. Onyia further stated that the Mbah administration had transformed ESUT Teaching Hospital from the condition it met in 2023 into a modern and rapidly improving medical institution capable of competing with leading healthcare facilities across the country.

He reiterated the commitment of Governor Mbah’s administration to building a world-class healthcare system through sustained investments in infrastructure, equipment and manpower development.

Performing the commissioning and ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside his wife, Dr. Patricia Nwobodo, Senator Nwobodo expressed admiration over the quality of facilities installed at the neonatal ward.

He praised the governor for what he described as unprecedented transformation in the health sector and insisted that the governor deserved overwhelming support for re-election in 2027.

According to the former governor, the facilities and standards at the ward compared favourably with what is obtainable in advanced countries, stressing that the development further demonstrated that the current administration was delivering tangible results across critical sectors.

In his remarks, Dr. Yomi Jaye explained that the project was inspired by his lifelong commitment to children’s welfare and dedicated to the memory of his late mother, who was a teacher.

He disclosed that the renovated ward was designed in line with modern infection prevention protocols critical to newborn survival, recalling the painful loss of his almost twin brother due to infection-related complications.

Dr. Jaye noted that the intervention aligned with Governor Mbah’s vision of transforming healthcare delivery through preventive and patient-centred care, adding that ongoing investments in hospitals, primary healthcare and medical training had continued to reposition Enugu as a leading healthcare destination.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of ESUTH Parklane, Prof. Bethrand Ngwu, expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah and Dr. Jaye for their interventions and support towards improving healthcare services in the hospital.

He stated that the administration’s investments had significantly improved healthcare delivery and staff morale, assuring that the newly installed facilities would be properly maintained and maximally utilised for the benefit of newborns and other vulnerable patients requiring specialised care.

A 30-year-old man identified as Pere Odese, who reportedly killed his father, Friday Odese, during an altercation over food, has been lynched by angry mob while attempting to escape.

The incident reportedly occurred in Ikekhen, Ewato, in Esan Southeast Local Government of Edo State

It was gathered that the deceased, who was a farmer, was butchered to death by his son for not being able to provide food for him.

Sources in the locality said an altercation ensued between the deceased father and his son when he (son) demanded for food and the father told him that there was no food in the house, as he couldn’t access the farm to harvest cassava due to the unknown gunmen that have taken over the forests in the area.

The response reportedly led to an altercation and in the process the son picked up a cutlass and killed his father.

The sources added that a neighbour who attempted to rescue the deceased also received matchet cuts and is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of an undisclosed hospital.

Angered by the development, a mob apprehended the young man who was trying to escape and lynched him, bringing the total death in the family to two.

The Spokesperson for Edo State Police Command, Eno lkoedem, said the matter has not yet been reported at the police station.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has elected 17 candidates to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming Local Government elections across the state.

It is recalled that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) scheduled the council elections for Sept. 26, 2026.

12 serving Local Government Chairmen secured return tickets during the party primaries.

They are Jude Asogwa, Nsukka; Caleb Ani, Enugu South; Ugo Ukwueze, Igboeze South; Ibenaku Onoh, Enugu North; Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri; and Greg Anyaegbudike, Oji-River.

Others are Chijioke Ezugwu, Uzo Uwani; Hyginus Agu, Udi; Uche Okoro, Awgu; Belove Dan Anike, Enugu East; John Ogbodo, Nkanu West; Vitals Ndu, Ezeagu.

Mr Obiora Obeagu of Isi-Uzo and Sydney Edeh of Nkanu East, who had completed their two-term tenure did not stabd for the primary election.

They were replaced with Brendan Ani and Mike Ogbuekwe, respectively.

Three Chairmen did not return after the primary election. They were replaced with Martin Ugwu for Igbo Eititi, Ikechukwu Ezeoha, Udenu and Dr Chris Onyekachi for Igboeze North.

Presenting Certificates of Return to the successful aspirants on Wednesday at the APC State Secretariat in Enugu, the State Chairman of the party, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, described the primaries as peaceful and successful.

“We are happy that it went seamlessly. Everything happened smoothly in all the local governments. We never had any serious issues and all the results have been returned,” he said.

Chukwunweike said
that the candidates emerged through direct primaries conducted at the various council headquarters.

“What we are doing here today is to present a Certificate of Return to you, having been elected as the candidate for APC in the upcoming local government election,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly during the September 26 polls.

“I believe that we will still do as usual and sweep the people come September this year. I say congratulations to all those who have emerged and who are now to carry our flag,” he added.

The chairman urged both returning and first-time candidates to uphold good leadership qualities and build on the achievements of those before them.

Chukwunweike also urged the candidates to replicate the developmental strides of the state governor at the grassroots level.

“What you need to do is to go and replicate what our governor is doing in the state. His Excellency, Peter Mbah, has actually done most of the campaign for us,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the aspirants, the Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, thanked the governor and party leadership for the transparent conduct of the exercise.

“We tender our unreserved gratitude to our performing governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for his resilience and for finding us worthy to continue to render service to our dear state,” Okolo said.

Okolo, who is also the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, commended party members and supporters across the 17 council areas for their peaceful conduct during the primaries.

He assured that the candidates would continue to align with the governor’s vision for the development of the state.

Also, the incumbent Council Chairman of Nsukka LGA and APC’s candidate in forthcoming Council election, Engr. Jude Asogwa, thanked the governor for not only ensuring that all the 17 LGAs of the state enjoyed financial autonomy, but for equally undertaking massive projects at the grassroots.

“So, we will not only campaign with promises, but the proofs of good governance in Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership and the efforts we have made at our own level,” he stated.