.FROM: LarryBravo Nwaiwu, Enugu

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has bagged the New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for his examplary courage  in ending the illegal sit-at-home order and restoring security and stability to the South East.

This was even as the governor dedicated the award to members of his team and all the security agencies in the state, saying that he realised that his vision to grow the state’s economy could be a pipe dream unless he ensured a secure and tranquil environment for business and investment to thrive.

Presenting the Award amid glitz and glamour at a well attended ceremony in Lagos at the weekend, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, Ayodele Aminu, commended Mbah for arresting within a very short period the debilitating Monday sit-at-home, and the activities of Unknown Gunmen, and other forms of insecurity that had virtually crippled the state’s economy and cost many lives and property.

“We recall your ambitious target of advancing the state from a $4.4 billion to $30 billion economy. But as you rightly acknowledged upon assumption of office, you cannot achieve these lofty dreams in a state bogged down by insecurity, occasioned by stay-at-home enforcers. This informed your decision to bring the sit-at-home order in the state to an end, effective from June 5, 2023.

“Today, we note that the economic and social landscapes of Enugu State have become positively transformed as the average citizen can go about their normal businesses without any fear of intimidation.

“The fact that you achieved this feat within such a short time is an eloquent testimony of your administrative acumen and love for the people of Enugu State.

“In view of the foregoing and the impact you’ve made in the state to improve the living standard of residents, we are pleased to confer on you the Governor of the Year (Courage in Leadership) Award.”

Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen at the event, Governor Mbah emphasised that by the award, which came early in his government, he and his team had been further commissioned to work harder and do more to better the lots of the state and its people.

“I am particularly humbled that our modest efforts in a very short time of our journey towards Enugu’s greatness is being noticed and that it is already receiving accolades. So I am grateful to the organisers, the Board, the Management and staff of the New Telegraph.

“We recognised when we assumed office that if we are to achieve the exponential growth we have proposed to our people, we must address the issue of insecurity.

“So, we immediately set forth at dawn and identified insecurity as the biggest elephant in the room; we mobilised the security agencies with my committed team; and through the tireless efforts of these security agents, today we are living in a peaceful and tranquil environment where we can live, work, and do business.

“For me, this award would not have been possible without my committed team and members of the security agencies. Therefore, I dedicate this award to my team and the members of security agencies, who, through their efforts, have been able to secure a peaceful and tranquil Enugu State”, he said.