News
Enugu winning war against underage gambling through cutting-edge technology, education – Gov Mbah
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has declared a full-scale offensive against underage gambling, citing a combination of technology-driven regulation, education reforms, and inter-sectoral collaboration as the pillars of his administration’s unprecedented response, which was already eliminating the menace from the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders event organised by the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development at the Enugu International Conference Centre on Thursday on the theme, “Ending Underage Gambling in Enugu State,” the governor painted a vivid graphic of the social corrosion caused by the menace and the state’s strategic determination to address it and creating an engaging, meaningful and creative future of children.
Describing underage gambling as a “public crisis,” Mbah lamented its links to youth drug abuse, petty crime, academic failure, and growing urban violence.
“It is no longer a private vice. It corrodes society, fuels criminality, and destroys dreams before they are even formed,” he said.
The governor, who was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, disclosed that since November 2024, Enugu had adopted a zero-tolerance approach, empowering the state’s Gaming & Lottery Commission to dismantle unlicensed betting points and enforce permanent, regulated structures under real-time digital surveillance.
Mbah, however, made it clear that regulation alone would not solve the crisis, assuring that his administration was expanding its strategy beyond enforcement to include re-education, creativity, and compassion.
“School, family, and community must be louder than the gambling hall. We are embedding financial literacy and empathy in our Smart Green Schools by challenging students to build gamified learning tools,” he said.
He added that the 260 Smart Green Schools across Enugu would serve as launchpads for digital innovation aimed at reshaping young minds away from chance and toward purpose.
He announced that the state was partnering with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, to introduce early intervention systems within schools and youth hubs where minors caught gambling would be met, not with criminal penalties, but with mental health evaluations, peer mentorship, and structured alternatives.
“This is not just enforcement. It’s rescue,” Mbah emphasized, highlighting the human-first approach of the state’s policy shift.
On the legislative front, Governor Mbah revealed upcoming moves to institutionalize advanced ID verification systems, including real-time Tax Identification Number (TIN) and National Identity Number (NIN) checks for all gaming participants, stressing that it was modeled after successful implementations in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“This is no longer about best practice; it must become legal mandate,” he declared.
Mbah concluded with a rousing call for collective action among all the stakeholders involved. “Our fight is not against games, but against the exploitation of our future. We are not just shutting doors—we are opening better ones,” he said.
The governor also hinted at plans to develop a regulated gaming tourism sector that would generate revenue while enforcing strict ethical and community-based standard, calling on parents, faith leaders, traditional institutions, and youth advocates to “crank up the conversation” and ensure that young people bet only on hard work, education, and digital innovation—not on gambling.
Describing underage gambling as troubling, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said the fight against the social vice must not be left to government alone as parents, guardians teachers, civil society as well as stakeholders in child protection had pivotal role to play to ending it.
She maintained that, if not collectively tackled, the menace would creep silently into homes, communities and schools with the potential impact of eroding values, disrupting learning and exposing children to moral, psychological and social harm.
Lending his voice to the growing calls to end underage exploitation in whatever form, the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Lloyd Ekweremadu, said the state government was already committed to sanctioning operators who failed to adhere to the standards regulation in the state.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Gaming and Lottery Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, said the commission was not unmindful of the potential harms underage gambling could cause the society, adding that government had already set the machinery that was addressing the menace in motion.
He further explained that a bill designed to empower the Commission on oversight and regulatory functions over the operators of gambling and gaming houses was already in the House of Assembly undergoing legislative processes.
“Regarding what we are doing today, we have lots of policies. First as a matter of strict policy, no betting outlets is allowed within 100 to 200 meters close to any school. Second, on no account must an under-aged person be seen in a betting environment because such attracts outright sealing and closure,” he concluded.
Two persons sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday during an attempted arrest by police officers at the River Niger Head Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State, causing panic and disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement in the area.
The incident, which occurred around noon, caused gridlock along the busy Onitsha-Awka Expressway, as a confrontation reportedly broke out between the security operatives and some hoodlums.
Eyewitnesses near the scene said the victims were shot during the confrontation and later became unconscious before they were rushed to a nearby hospital.
One of the sources said, “The incident occurred this afternoon. It arose from a confrontation between the police officers and the victims. They were being stopped by the officers for questioning. In an attempt to arrest them, they resisted the arrest and the police fired some shots at them.
“The incident resulted in heavy skirmishes around the Bridgehead Market as people scampered to safety. The area remained in chaos until the arrival of another batch of police team. The victims were later rushed to a nearby hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident occurred when the suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, had visited the scene and addressed the crowd, adding that an investigation had commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to him, the CP subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses were covered.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, while addressing the crowd in Onitsha over the incident arising from a confrontation during an attempted arrest, stated that the immediate priority of the Command is to ensure that the victims recover fully.
“The incident occurred when suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries. The Commissioner of Police subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the Command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses are covered.
“The CP further ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the events leading to the discharge of the firearm.
“He stressed that the investigation will establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.
“The Commissioner of Police appealed for calm and urged members of the public to remain peaceful and allow the investigation to run its course.”
Ikenga reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, respect for human life and the rule of law.
“Meanwhile, traffic and human movement around the Head Bridge area have been de-escalated, with free flow of vehicular and human movement now restored,” he added.
Three churches in Lagos State have been shut down by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) over noise pollution as part of an enforcement exercise targeting 11 establishments in Agege and Mushin.
The affected churches are Holy Temple of Christ on Ayetoro Street, behind NIPCO Filling Station, Mushin; Christ Covenant Gospel Church, Western District, along Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Mushin; and Christ Apostolic Church, Oye Iyanu, located at Mushin Road, Church Bus Stop, Itire.
LASEPA carried out the enforcement operation on Tuesday after the affected establishments had received warnings and notices over environmental violations.
The agency said the establishments were given opportunities to correct the problems but failed to meet the required standards.
The shutdown of the three churches was linked to noise pollution, with the agency maintaining that religious activities and other operations must comply with environmental regulations to protect residents and maintain peace within communities.
LASEPA also sealed Akorohunfayo Central Mosque on Akorohunfayo Street, Fadeyi, Mushin, over noise pollution.
Other establishments affected included Biolarique Bakery Academy on Mushin Road, Mushin, which was sealed for failing to comply with the agency’s directives.
Tiles & Marbles on Silver Street, Olorunsogo, Mushin, was also shut over air pollution.
Five scrap yards operating in Agege and Mushin were equally sealed.
The facilities were accused of various environmental offences, including failure to provide evidence of an E-Waste Permit, environmental pollution and non-compliance with directives issued by LASEPA.
The affected scrap yards are Abubakar Scrap at Pipeline, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege; Benjamin Scrap Yard on Ladoje Street, Oko Oba, Agege; Starlas and Sons Scrap Yard, also on Ladoje Street, Oko Oba, Agege; Jamin Scrap Yard at Jungle Bus Stop, Iju Road, Agege; and a Scrap Yard on Olu Aina Street, Daleko, Mushin.
LASEPA General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, said the agency would continue to monitor establishments across Lagos and enforce environmental regulations where operators fail to comply.
He urged religious organisations, business owners, facility operators, scrap dealers and other residents to obtain the necessary permits, follow environmental rules and take steps to prevent activities that could affect public health or the wellbeing of people living around their facilities.
The agency said further monitoring and enforcement exercises would continue across Lagos as part of efforts to maintain a cleaner and safer environment.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the appointment of 23 Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to support his administration in various areas of governance.
The appointments, contained in a Public Service Announcement signed by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, take effect immediately.
Nine of the appointees were appointed Special Advisers, while 14 were appointed Senior Special Assistants.
Among those appointed as Special Advisers are Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa, Labour Union and Association Matters; Hon. Sunday Nnamani (Orlando), Special Duties; Mr. Williams Chukwu, Agriculture; Prince Afam Agana, Infrastructure Compliance; and Humphrey Onyima, Investment Strategy and Public Relations.
Others are Hon. Tony Ugwu, Rural Development; Chief Ernest Nweze, Party Coordination and Mobilisation; Hon. Emeka Onunze, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Mr. Robinson Odo (mni), Labour and Productivity.
Those appointed as Senior Special Assistants include Pastor Kenneth Asogwa (Ebube Muonso), Heritage and Community Relations; Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo, Social Engagement; Barr. Lucky Chukwu, Public Affairs; Belonwu Nnaji, Cultural Orientation; and Hon. Steve Odo, Tourism.
Also appointed are Hon. Francis Ikewette Ede, Public Communication; Mr. Sunny Okafor, General Duties; Hon. Chinedu Okwu Otaka, Social Orientation and Mobilisation; Otaba Cosmas Ikechukwu, Protection of Public Utilities; Pius Okeagu, Assets Management; and Rt. Hon. Innocent Emeka Ugwu, Inter-Party Affairs.
The remaining appointees are Mrs. Eucharia Offor, Human Resource Management; Mr. Kenneth Oforma, Policy and Communication; and Kelvin Ede, Research and Strategy.
The state government said the appointments are effective immediately.
The new appointments are expected to strengthen the administration’s capacity across key sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, investment, labour, rural development, public communication, tourism, human resources and community relations.
The full statement:
ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved the appointment of the following persons as Special Advisers (SPAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs):
1. *Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa* — Special Adviser on Labour Union and Association Matters
2. *Hon. Sunday Nnamani (Orlando)* — Special Adviser on Special Duties
3. *Mr. Williams Chukwu* — Special Adviser on Agriculture
4. *Prince Afam Agana* — Special Adviser on Infrastructure Compliance
5. *Humphrey Onyima* — Special Adviser on Investment Strategy and Public Relations
6. *Hon. Tony Ugwu* — Special Adviser on Rural Development
7. *Chief Ernest Nweze* — Special Adviser on Party Coordination and Mobilisation
8. *Hon. Emeka Onunze* — Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation
9. *Mr. Robinson Odo (mni) — Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity*
10. *Pastor Kenneth Asogwa (Ebube Muonso)* — Senior Special Assistant on Heritage and Community Relations
11. *Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo* — Senior Special Assistant on Social Engagement
12. *Barr. Lucky Chukwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs
13. *Belonwu Nnaji* — Senior Special Assistant on Cultural Orientation
14. *Hon. Steve Odo* — Senior Special Assistant on Tourism
15. *Hon. Francis Ikewette Ede* — Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication
16. *Mr. Sunny Okafor* — Senior Special Assistant on General Duties
17. *Hon. Chinedu Okwu Otaka* — Senior Special Assistant on Social Orientation and Mobilisation
18. *Otaba Cosmas Ikechukwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Protection of Public Utilities
19. *Pius Okeagu* — Senior Special Assistant on Assets Management
20. *Rt. Hon. Innocent Emeka Ugwu* — Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Party Affairs
21. *Mrs. Eucharia Offor* — Senior Special Assistant on Human Resource Management
22. *Mr. Kenneth Oforma* — Senior Special Assistant on Policy and Communication
23. *Kelvin Ede — Senior Special Assistant on Research and Strategy*
The appointments take effect immediately.
Signed:
Prof. Chidiebere Onyia
Secretary to the Enugu State Government
Wednesday, 19th August, 2026
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