•  Targets 520 beneficiaries across 260 wards; says intervention will promote grassroots enterprise, reduce poverty

The Enugu State Government has distributed 520 grinding machines to indigent and vulnerable residents across the state as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s sustained efforts to reduce poverty, promote economic inclusion and expand livelihood opportunities at the grassroots.

The intervention, which covers all 260 electoral wards in the 17 local government areas, provides two grinding machines to beneficiaries in each ward and is designed to equip disadvantaged residents with productive assets to establish small businesses, generate income and improve their living conditions.

The initiative was formally launched on Tuesday to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Poor.

Governor Mbah, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the programme reflected his administration’s commitment to building an inclusive and prosperous Enugu State where every citizen, irrespective of social or economic circumstances, has the opportunity to improve their standard of living.

He explained that the distribution went beyond the provision of equipment, describing it as a practical investment in the economic independence of vulnerable households and an effort to ensure that the benefits of governance were felt directly at the grassroots.

The governor noted that providing beneficiaries with productive assets would enable them to establish viable micro-enterprises, earn sustainable incomes, support their families and contribute to the state’s broader economic development.

In her keynote address, the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedette Okoli, disclosed that the beneficiaries were selected from the Enugu State Social Register of the Poor and Vulnerable, compiled by the State Operations Coordinating Unit.

She stressed that the selection was based on verified data and established vulnerability criteria, insisting that political affiliation, favouritism and personal connections played no part in determining those who benefited from the programme.

Prof. Okoli urged the recipients to make productive use of the equipment, maintain them properly and seize the opportunity to establish sustainable businesses capable of generating regular income and improving their families’ welfare.

She assured residents that the state government would continue to introduce and expand targeted interventions aimed at creating economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups and addressing poverty across the state.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Ezeagu Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Robert Ozongwu, commended Governor Mbah for the initiative.

They described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that the provision of productive equipment would stimulate small-scale economic activities, ease the financial difficulties confronting vulnerable households and improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries.

Two beneficiaries, Mr. Peter Chime from Obuofia-Awkunanaw and Mrs. Virginia Nwachukwu from Obe community, expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the gesture as an opportunity to become economically productive and financially independent.

They said the grinding machines would enable them to establish small businesses, generate regular income and provide better support for their families, pledging to put the equipment to effective use.

The beneficiaries also pledged their support for Governor Mbah’s re-election, President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections, describing their commitment as an expression of appreciation for the administration’s intervention.

The Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Eradication reiterated the state government’s determination to sustain and broaden its empowerment initiatives as part of its comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty, strengthen household economies and improve the welfare of vulnerable residents.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Diewait Ikpechukwu, has died at the age of 71, following a prolonged illness.

Ikpechukwu, who was also a former footballer, reportedly died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, according to a family source.

His death was announced on Friday by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, who paid tribute to the late actor in an Instagram post.

“Another Legend bows out!! RIP Diewit Ikpechukwu,” Yakubu wrote.

Although details surrounding his death remain sketchy, his passing has thrown the Nigerian film industry into mourning, marking another loss to a generation of actors who contributed to the growth of Nollywood.

From Football to Nollywood

Born on August 23, 1955, Ikpechukwu had an interesting career journey that took him through football, broadcasting, telecommunications and eventually the Nigerian film industry.

Before becoming an actor, he was a talented footballer who played as a right winger during the 1970s. His footballing abilities reportedly earned him an invitation to the Green Eagles camp, Nigeria’s former senior national football team.

He played for football clubs including Blue Diamonds of Nsukka and Kaduna Rocks. He also captained the Kaduna Polytechnic football team.

However, he reportedly declined the opportunity to pursue a career with the national team following his father’s insistence that he prioritise his education.

Educational Background and Career

Ikpechukwu attended Comprehensive High School in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, before proceeding to Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Marketing.

He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

While studying in Kaduna, he developed an interest in broadcasting and reportedly worked with radio stations as a football commentator.

Before venturing fully into entertainment, he worked with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), where he served as a business office manager.

His journey into acting gained momentum through television productions at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu.

Acting Career and Movies

Ikpechukwu made his feature film debut in 1998 in Evil Men, where he portrayed a traditional ruler alongside established Nollywood actors, including Pete Edochie, Alex Usifo and Liz Benson.

He subsequently built a career spanning more than 25 years, becoming particularly recognised for portraying kings, traditional rulers, elderly statesmen and other influential characters in Nigerian films.

Some of the productions he featured in include Royal Palace (2005), The Guilty (2006), Across the River (2006), Python King (2007), Omera (2019), A Dance to Forget (2020), Emecheta (2021), Nwando (2021) and Ìjé Love (2022).

His commanding screen presence and ability to interpret traditional roles made him a familiar face to Nollywood audiences.

Contribution to the Actors Guild of Nigeria

Beyond his acting career, Ikpechukwu was actively involved in the Actors Guild of Nigeria and served as the pioneer chairman of the guild’s Enugu State chapter.

He was also passionate about mentoring upcoming actors and encouraging young people seeking careers in the entertainment industry.

He reportedly advised aspiring actors against desperation in their pursuit of fame, urging them to take their craft seriously, dedicate themselves to every role and avoid exploitation.

Outside acting, he was also reported to have owned a communications company.

Family

The late actor was married to Gloria Ikpechukwu and was blessed with children and grandchildren.

His death marks the end of a remarkable journey that cut across sports, broadcasting and entertainment.

As tributes continue to emerge, colleagues and admirers will remember him for his contributions to Nollywood and his efforts towards nurturing emerging talents.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be officially announced by the family.

…Says Development Centres key to taking government policies, projects to communities

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated the newly appointed 68 Development Centre Administrators and members across the state, charging them to prioritise grassroots governance and ensure effective communication of government policies and projects across the state.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Thursday, Mbah reminded the appointees that the oath of office constituted a social contract and a commitment to serve with integrity.

He said the Development Centres remained a critical component of his administration’s governance model because they represented the closest tier of government engagement with the people.

“Government is about the people, and we do not have an arm of government that is closer to the people than the Development Centres,” he said.

Mbah explained that the appointees were expected to take government policies, programmes and projects closer to communities, particularly women, families and other grassroots populations, while complementing rather than replacing the statutory responsibilities of local governments.

He urged them to work closely with their respective local government chairmen to ensure that government interventions and development initiatives reached their intended beneficiaries.

The governor further tasked the 68
Administrators with understanding government policies at both state and local government levels and effectively communicating their benefits to residents, especially those in rural communities.

Using the administration’s investments in Smart Green Schools and Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres as examples, Mbah said the appointees should go beyond merely announcing government projects to explaining their practical benefits to the people.

He charged them to educate communities on how the modern healthcare facilities would reduce maternal and child mortality, ensure timely childhood immunisation and improve access to essential healthcare services.

He also urged them to sensitise residents on government interventions in water supply, sanitation and the campaign to make Enugu an open-defecation-free state.

“I want you to carry the energy and zest I see in you to our communities. Carry the energy to your various homes and communities,” he charged them.

On the political front, Mbah urged the appointees to communicate the administration’s achievements and policies to the electorate, challenging opposition politicians to present their programmes and records in governance.

He also disclosed that the administration would take its campaign and performance assessment engagements to the various Development Centres to showcase projects and achievements across communities and wards.

“Our campaign is going to be at the different Development Centres. We are going to go to all our Development Centres to point out to Ndi Enugu what we have done, not just at the Development Centre level, but even at the wards and our communities,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to its 10,000-kilometre road development target, adding that significant progress had also been recorded in tourism, transportation and other sectors.

He expressed satisfaction with his administration’s payment of gratuities to retired workers, noting that the intervention was being implemented at both state and local government levels.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Frank Anioma, described the inauguration as another demonstration of Mbah’s commitment to effective grassroots administration and development.

He charged the appointees to mobilise grassroot support for the governor’s re-election bid in their respective.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, an Administrator from Enugu North, Kenechukwu Ikenegbu, expressed appreciation to the governor for the appointments and pledged their commitment to advancing the administration’s development agenda at the grassroots.

He said the appointees would serve as the governor’s representatives in their respective communities, taking the administration’s achievements to residents through sustained engagement and door-to-door mobilisation.

Ikenegbu also pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the forthcoming elections, assuring that they would intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Speaking to newsmen, the Administrator, Nkanu East South Development Centre, Hon. Emmanuel Edeh, enthused that with over 10,000 verifiable milestones, Mbah had given the appointees so much to campaign on.

The swearing-in conducted by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, was witnessed by party leaders, members, and other stakeholders, including: the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology Dr Kingsley Udeh, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, the State Chairman of APC, Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, local government chairmen and members of the state executive council.