Happy Birthday To An Achiever, History Shall Be kind To You For Your Noble Strides In Leadership.

In the theatre of leadership, where promises often fade into the background of political routine, a few performers step onto the stage with clarity, purpose, and measurable impact. One such figure is Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, whose journey continues to attract attention for its pace, precision, and ambition.

As he marks his 54th birthday today the 17th of March, it is fitting to string together not just words, but garlands—symbols of appreciation for a man whose governance style has leaned heavily toward results.
Governor Mbah’s leadership narrative is one defined by urgency.

From the outset, he signaled that governance would not be business as usual. His administration set bold targets, particularly in areas such as education, infrastructure, and economic expansion. Rather than dwell in rhetoric, his approach has emphasized timelines, deliverables, and accountability—traits more commonly associated with corporate leadership than traditional politics.

One of the most striking elements of his governance is his focus on education reform. By prioritizing smart schools and digital learning infrastructure, Mbah has demonstrated an understanding that the future of any society lies in how well it prepares its young minds. His policies reflect a belief that education must not only be accessible but also relevant in a rapidly evolving global landscape, little his signature refrain TOMORROW IS HERE resonates not only with Ndi’Enugu and the people of the South East but across the nation.

Infrastructure development under his watch has also taken center stage. Roads, transport systems, and urban renewal projects have been approached not just as physical upgrades, but as economic enablers. The philosophy is simple: when movement becomes easier, commerce thrives, and when commerce thrives, people prosper.

Beyond policy and projects, there is also the intangible quality of leadership presence. Governor Mbah has cultivated an image of a leader constantly in motion—inspecting, engaging, pushing. This has helped shape public perception of a government that is active and responsive, rather than distant and ceremonial.

At 54, the Governor stands at a point where experience meets momentum. There is enough behind him to assess his direction, and enough ahead to determine his legacy. The expectations are high, but so too is the energy he appears to bring to the role.

Birthdays often invite reflection, but they also offer an opportunity to look forward. For the people of Enugu State, this moment is not just about celebrating the man, but also about evaluating the journey so far and anticipating what lies ahead.

Fifty-four garlands, then, are not merely decorative—they represent milestones, challenges overcome, and ambitions still in pursuit. For a performer in the arena of governance, the applause is never final. It is earned, continuously, in the quiet execution of vision.

Happy Birthday, Governor Peter Mbah, indeed under your responsible and responsive watch over Enugu State TOMORROW IS HERE.

Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).

Military and paramilitary veterans who participated in various operations, including ECOMOG, Operation Zaman Lafiya and Operation Pulo Shield, have raised concerns over what they describe as an alleged encroachment on land allocated to them in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The veterans, who are beneficiaries of a welfare housing initiative coordinated through a Special Purpose Vehicle known as the Special Vehicle Plant (SVP) Trust Scheme, claim that construction activities have recently commenced on the land, which they say forms part of their approved housing project.

Speaking through their representatives, a retired Army officer Ayo Olufemi who chose not to mention his rank, the group urged relevant authorities to ensure that all issues relating to the land dispute are handled strictly in accordance with the law. They maintained that Nigeria remains a country governed by the rule of law under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the veterans, the land in dispute is identified as Plot 2303 in Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04, an area that shares boundaries with other military lands belonging to the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.

The group explained that the plot was allocated for the development of a veterans’ welfare housing scheme under the SVP Trust arrangement. Under the framework, the SVP was responsible for site planning, subdivision of the land, allocation to individual beneficiaries, and coordination of Right of Occupancy documentation through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

They stated that beneficiaries opened individual land application files with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and received official acknowledgements before land offer letters were issued in 2015.

The veterans further claimed that the project complied with regulatory requirements, including approvals from relevant departments within the FCDA, and that about ₦400 million was reportedly paid as part of statutory ground rent obligations requested by the FCTA.

However, the group alleged that officials linked to the Nigerian Army recently began construction activities on the plot, which they believe falls within the land allocated for the veterans’ housing scheme.
In a petition addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the veterans called for government intervention to prevent what they described as an attempted takeover of the land pending clarification of ownership and boundary issues.

According to the petitioners, the Nigerian Army was previously allocated a neighbouring parcel identified as Plot 2302, measuring approximately 248 hectares, from a larger expanse of land originally designated for military formations and barracks development in the Asokoro area.

They stated that the area behind Mogadishu Cantonment had been earmarked primarily for barracks and accommodation for military personnel.

The veterans also said the allocation of Plot 2303 to their welfare scheme followed representations made to the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in recognition of the role played by Nigerian troops during the ECOMOG operations in Sierra Leone.
Beneficiaries of the scheme, they added, had fulfilled statutory obligations, including the payment of required ground rents and other administrative charges.

The group further alleged that attempts were made by individuals linked to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) and other parties to merge Plot 2303 with the adjoining Plot 2302 belonging to the Army.

They also claimed that a Memorandum of Understanding was subsequently signed with developers for the construction of residential units described as “modern affordable homes,” with projected selling prices reportedly ranging between ₦81 million and ₦125 million.
According to the petitioners, construction work on the disputed area reportedly began on December 24, 2025.

The veterans stated that some infrastructure earlier developed on the land — including access roads and other facilities constructed in line with FCDA approvals — may have been affected by the ongoing activities.

They also raised broader concerns about the management of military land allocations in the Asokoro area.

According to the petition, Plot 2302 was originally designated for additional barracks development, including a proposed Phase 2 expansion of the facility now known as Tinubu Barracks Phase 1.

However, the veterans alleged that portions of the land were subsequently transferred or sold to institutions, developers and private individuals over time, contrary to the original land-use designation.

They further claimed that only a fraction of the approximately 248 hectares allocated to the Army has reportedly been developed for barracks infrastructure.

The petitioners also alleged that Nigerian Army Properties Limited has continued to transact on parts of the Army’s land allocation through arrangements involving developers and intermediaries.

The veterans argued that these developments may have contributed to boundary disputes involving neighbouring plots, including the land allocated for their housing project.

They therefore called on the FCT Minister to order an immediate review of activities on the disputed land and ensure that all actions comply with existing approvals and legal processes.

In addition, the group requested the establishment of an independent inquiry to examine allegations relating to the allocation and disposal of military land in the Asokoro area.

They also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate claims concerning the alleged diversion or sale of portions of the Army’s land.

Efforts to obtain official responses from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Properties Limited, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) on Thursday staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as gross incompetence and abuse of public office.

The protest was led by the Executive Director of IPSAW, Ambassador Stephen Eriba, who accused the NAFDAC boss of unlawfully enforcing a ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and 200ml PET bottles.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Eriba said the agency’s action violated the provisions of the National Alcohol Policy already approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and currently in force.

He also alleged that the enforcement contradicted a presidential directive restraining NAFDAC from disrupting the operations of affected companies pending the outcome of a joint committee set up to review the matter.

According to him, the enforcement of the ban could trigger widespread economic and social consequences, including potential civil unrest and disruption of businesses involved in the production and distribution of the affected products.

He further argued that the decision ignored a resolution of the House of Representatives issued after a public hearing with key stakeholders on March 14, 2024, which urged NAFDAC to halt the ban and described the move as anti-people.

IPSAW maintained that the introduction of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small PET bottles was designed to cater to low-income adult consumers who prefer smaller and more affordable quantities, stressing that banning the products would deny such consumers the freedom of choice.

The group also disputed claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse, insisting that smaller packaging may instead discourage excessive consumption typically associated with larger containers.

Eriba noted that local manufacturers produce sachet alcohol under hygienic conditions and with regulatory approval, including certification from NAFDAC itself.

He added that industry operators have invested heavily in public awareness campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.

While expressing support for regulatory efforts aimed at removing unsafe products from the market, IPSAW said such decisions should be based on empirical evidence rather than what it called emotional or unverified claims.

The group warned that enforcing the ban could lead to job losses across the alcohol production value chain, encourage the proliferation of illicit and unregulated products, and result in revenue losses for the government.

IPSAW therefore urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by removing the NAFDAC Director-General from office, arguing that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.