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Your honeymoon is over, Gov Mbah tells 13 newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has sworn in 13 newly appointed permanent secretaries, charging them to immediately align with his administration’s delivery-oriented governance model, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period for them in office.
The governor gave the directive during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Enugu, on Monday.
The new Permanent Secretaries are Chigbogu Sunday Nnaji, Phoebe Nkechinyere Edeh, Philip Anthony Arum, Egbonwonu Jeremiah, Ifeoma Justina Igwe, Ngozi Sylverline Egbo, Nkiru Henrietta Ede-Ogunnaike, Pamela Ikpa, Kennis Ngene, Anyaora I. Okereke, Adaobi Theresa Nwodo, Ikechukwu Ezenwukwa, and Paul Nwabuisi.
This brings to 27 the number of Permanent Secretaries in the State.
Mbah explained that the appointments were strictly merit-based, having emerged from a rigorous and transparent selection process, while also filling existing vacancies in the civil service to promote equality, inclusion and fairness.
Governor Mbah reminded the new Permanent Secretaries that so much responsibility accompanied their elevation, noting that the reward for hard work was more work.
“I believe you worked very hard to get to this level in your career, and you went through a very rigorous process to be selected. So, it is well deserved. But let me also remind you that the honeymoon is over. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.
He described Permanent Secretaries as the engine room of government and custodians of institutional memory, stressing that governance under his administration was carrying out far-reaching reforms across all sectors.
Referrimng to the 2026 budget proposal before the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mbah noted that the state had crossed the trillion-naira appropriation threshold for the first time, with over ₦1.3 trillion earmarked for capital projects.
“These reforms are not makeshift. They are meant to be institutionalised and to outlive us. You have a duty to ensure that processes are properly documented and sustained,” he said, adding that the expanded scale of government programmes required an enhanced and more skilled workforce.
Governor Mbah further stressed the importance of ICT competence, noting that all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) had been integrated into the state’s e-governance platform.
“As leaders and chief accounting officers, you must not be beginners in ICT. We expect at least medium- to advanced-level competence,” he told them.
He highlighted key sectoral reforms, including the smart green schools revolution in education, the construction and ongoing equipping of Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the 260 wards, the transformation of the transportation system with CNG buses and modern terminals as well as the establishment of 260 farm estates to boost agricultural production and exports.
In tourism, the governor reiterated the plans to attract at least three million visitors to the state, supported by massive investments in hospitality infrastructure, tourist sites and access, while the launch of Enugu Air was aimed at improving connectivity and driving economic growth.
He also noted that the administration had exceeded the 35 per cent Affirmative Action benchmark in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, reflecting its gender sensitivity and commitment to inclusion and fairness.
“The world is watching us. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards of discipline and imbibe our governance philosophy of transparency, accountability, accessibility and collaboration, as clearly outlined in the citizens’ charter,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezenwukwa, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their unwavering commitment to the administration’s vision.
He acknowledged the gains recorded by the Mbah Administration in revenue generation and infrastructural development.
“We pledge to add value to these achievements. We assure you that you will not be disappointed in appointing us,” Ezenwukwa concluded.
Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday night.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
Okorocha, who was arrested at REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja, was, however, released on bail by the NPF following an hour of interrogation over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
CSP Iniedu, who confirmed the arrest and subsequent release on bail to our correspondent, noted that the former governor was asked to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further interrogation as investigations into the allegations continue.
The arrest reportedly followed Okorocha’s failure to honour previous police invitations in connection with the ongoing investigation.
He was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers, a date he reportedly failed to honour.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been appointed a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list released last night.
This is despite the fact that he is the National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Similarly, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the National Leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Accord Party (AP), are on the expanded and all-inclusive team headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Other members include Presidential Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and former House of Representatives member Patrick Obahiagbon.
Also named as members are former Osun APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, former National Legal Advisers Dr. Muiz Banire and Babatunde Ogala, Chief Ayiri Emami, Victor Giadom, Magnus Abe, and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The list, according to a report by The Nation, reflects inter-party cooperation and harmony based on the shared vision of propelling the country to the horizon of progress.
The report quoted a statement by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as saying that the campaign council will be inaugurated tomorrow in Abuja.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has called for a thorough and impartial police investigation into the recent violence surrounding a political gathering in the state, assuring that anyone found responsible will face the law regardless of political affiliation.
Mbah, in an address to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over reports of violence, particularly a shooting incident that left a citizen injured.
The governor said his immediate concern was the welfare of those injured, residents who experienced fear during the incident, and families affected by the violence.
He assured the victims and affected residents that their safety and well-being remained a priority for his administration.
“I know how much our people value the peace and security we have worked so hard to establish in Enugu. Incidents such as these cause anxiety and deserve our full attention,” the governor said.
Mbah stressed that every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, must be able to exercise their political rights without fear, intimidation or violence.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting lives, upholding the law and ensuring that justice was served without favour.
The governor also stated that, in view of the preliminary findings regarding the incident, he expected the police to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
According to him, anyone found culpable would be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, irrespective of their political connections.
“The Enugu State Government has made its position clear regarding allegations of involvement in this violence,” Mbah stated, reaffirming his administration’s responsibility to maintain peace and security across the state.
The incident has raised concerns over political tolerance and the safety of citizens participating in political activities in Enugu State.
The governor’s call for an impartial investigation underscores the need for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He concluded his address by thanking the people of Enugu State and praying for God’s continued blessings upon the state.
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