₦airaland Forum

Globally celebrated novelist and one of the most influential contemporary writers, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has praised the positive turnaround in Enugu under the Peter Mbah Administration, saying the state’s dark times were over.

Speaking during a courtesy call to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday, she stated:

“Arriving in Enugu, there is a feeling of calm and very welcoming. This is the city that I have always loved. I think, in the past, it had some dark times. It seems to me that the light is back,” she said.

The literary icon also told Government House correspondents that she left the meeting with Mbah feeling very inspired by his long-term vision, people-oriented policies and programmes, and the impressive representation of women in his government.

“I have left this meeting feeling very inspired. Surprisingly inspired because I wasn't sure what to expect. But I have to say that I am so inspired. I am filled with a lot of admiration for the governor's vision; for his ability to think long term, which is something that I think we need more of in this country. And also for what seems to me very humane point and a kind of outlook that I think is borne from the desire to do well.

“By doing well, I mean to do things that touch the lives of the ordinary people in Enugu State. That's for me very inspiring. It's also inspiring to hear and see that the women are very well represented in his cabinet,” she stated.

She hailed the ongoing construction of Smart Green Schools in each of the 260 political wards in Enugu and the allocation of well over 33 per cent in the state’s 2024 and 2025 annual budgets to education.

“I have always felt very strongly that education has to be at the centre of any kind of forward-looking vision for any state in Nigeria. I was very impressed to hear about the Smart Green Schools. Of course, to value something, you have to invest in it. So, that the governor of Enugu State is investing bigger portion of the budget, more than UNESCO recommends, I think is something very powerful.

“So, the idea of trying to reach children in rural areas, who might not have the opportunity to get really very good elementary education, is again, a very inspiring example of the ability to think long-term about the problem that we have. I think it is a shining example of the way forward,” Adichie concluded.

Meanwhile, receiving the multiple awards winning author, who also gifted him an autographed copy of her latest work, "Dream Count," Governor Mbah described her as a literary giant, inspiration to the younger generation, and an ambassador of Igbo and African cultures.

"Chimamanda is a proud ambassador of Igbo culture, who continues to elevate African narratives on the global stage," he stated.

He said his government was investing heavily in education to be able to produce many more of her type and others, who would paint Enugu State, Nigeria, and Africa in glowing colours in various fields of human endeavors across the world.

Odeluwa, as Adiche is also called, was in Enugu for the Things Fall Apart Festival 2025, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, at the weekend.

Tabithatim:
https://x.com/DanNwomeh/status/1943055700332286312?t=W8eMBHSTK9Dv-eLcUlWGSA&s=19[/quote]obidient condemn this man like they have manual to good governance

MetaMatrix:
Electricity is not a state thing. Its national. So..... definitely,,the President did it. Not the governor. He couldn't have done it. You'll know this if the president ever loses

Dbegining:
This man knows he stole the election and has been tirelessly working to please the people of Enugu.

But the drug baron? No o.

Arrogantly taxing Nigerians and pushing people below the poverty line while asking NASS members to sing "on your mandate" like Lagos agberos.

madridguy:
Quick to praise their own but good at condemning others.

Ucla:
You are wrong oga. Take a cue on Abia Steady power supply and Ogun State.

And even Lagos state government is currently planning theirs

The games has changed for most state since they stopped waiting for the central Government

pendy79:
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday evening boasted that he could provide uninterrupted power supply to Lagos residents between six and eight months.

Fashola spoke at the commissioning of 8.5 megawatts Lekki Independent Power Project (IPP), the fifth of such power projects in the last five years in the state.

The governor said the addition of the Lekki IPP was a testament to the fact that stable power does not require rocket science to achieve in the country.

While challenging power distribution companies in the state, Fashola said, “Let the Eko DISCOs sign a contract with me, giving part of their concessioning to the state government, in about six to eight months, there will be power in all homes in Lagos State,” Fashola said.

He added, “So, let no one say that he has no money to deliver power for the entire country. This is the limit to which the law allows us to do, but we have done this to make a statement that power can be generated. So, when they come with lies that power is impossible, you can tell them that we have power here; we make it possible”.

The project, courtesy of the state government, in partnership with Heritage Bank, is to serve Lagos State Water Corporations in Lekki Phase 1, Oniru, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, as well as over 25km of public lightening in the Lekki axis.

Commissioning the project, Fashola said he felt fulfilled with the conduct of youths that delivered the project, despite the difficulties in getting to the finishing point.

He said it also showed that the money to improve the Nigerian economy is here, “since we don’t need the World Bank to come and do this for us.”

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/03/can-provide-stable-power-eight-months-fashola-boasts/

ccollins:
First to comment.

Abia state governor still remains the best performing governor and we are hoping that Peter mbah does not behave and follow the footsteps of his cohorts who are pdp governors

NSK4U:
Thank you Governor Mba, more can still be done

Thank you Mrs Adichie, you have always kept it real with every leadership

anonimi:
Ratio of public to private schools in Lagos State is one to 22 ― Commissioner
September 4, 2022

The Lagos State government has said the ratio of public to private schools at both primary and secondary school levels in the state is one to 22.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, gave the revelation in her remark at the 2022 edition of the Total School Support Seminar Exhibition (TOSSE) held at Oregun in Ikeja between Thursday and Friday.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ratio-of-public-to-private-schools-in-lagos-state-is-one-to-22-%E2%80%95-commissioner/

I think, in the past, it had some dark times. It seems to me that the light is back

Ucla:
You are wrong oga. Take a cue on Abia Steady power supply and Ogun State.

And even Lagos state government is currently planning theirs

The games has changed for most states since they stopped waiting for the central Government

Get your facts write before singing a domant praising

Tabithatim:
https://x.com/DanNwomeh/status/1943055700332286312?t=W8eMBHSTK9Dv-eLcUlWGSA&s=19[/quote]I went to enugu and saw the gov is interested in stealing lands in the name of building roads

MetaMatrix:
Electricity is not a state thing. Its national. So..... definitely,,the President did it. Not the governor. He couldn't have done it. You'll know this if the president ever loses

anonimi:
How can they talk about light without doing better than Lagos on free education for all children? Is that not meaningless and empty? Unsustainable!!!