Dr Peter Mbah, Enugu State Governor
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the people of the state residing abroad to invest in the state, assuring them of a safe, business-friendly environment. He appealed on Monday at the Enugu Diaspora Homecoming held at the International Conference Centre, ICC Enugu.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah said Enugu was being repositioned as a competitive investment hub, with ambitions to rank among the leading destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Our position is clear: investment cannot thrive where there is insecurity. That is why security has remained a top priority from the first day of this administration,” Mbah said.
He highlighted some of his projects, which included educational development, agriculture, and climate action. He said the state had established a Security Trust Fund and deployed surveillance drones as part of efforts to combat crime and ensure a stable business environment.
Governor Mbah added that the government was deliberately aligning its transport and infrastructure programmes with its climate action agenda. He noted stressing that Enugu had achieved a major milestone by securing approval for its climate action plan with support from the Global Climate Fund.
Enugu State is the first sub-3çd by the Global Climate Fund. This was made possible by the design of bankable, climate-friendly projects,” he said.
He urged members of the diaspora with international exposure and networks to collaborate with the state in mobilising resources and expertise to drive infrastructure development. The Governor reassured investors of safety, disclosiññgc that the state’s forest guard had been fully equipped and would be expanded to cover forested areas, with a mandate to flush out criminal elements.
“Our position is clear: investment cannot thrive where there is insecurity. That is why security has remained a top priority from the first day of this administration,” Mbah said.
Speaking on developments in the health sector, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the government was revitalising healthcare delivery across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
He appealed to Enugu professionals abroad to support the sector through manpower development, provision of modern medical equipment, and training and retraining of health workers. He also encouraged the diaspora to help expand coverage under the Enugu State Universal Health Insurance Scheme.
In her remarks, National President of the Enugu Association USA and Co-Chair of the Enugu Diaspora Organisation Homecoming, Dr. Chinyere Agbayi, said Enugu indigenes abroad were motivated by the visible infrastructural development under Governor Mbah.
She described Governor Mbah as a transformational leader, saying the diaspora was ready to partner with the state to deepen development efforts in the coming years. She said that Enugu diasporans in the United States were already working on a multi-purpose project in the state that would include a hospital, an event centre, and an information technology hub aimed at empowering young people.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu, said the homecoming was organised to strengthen unity among Enugu indigenes abroad and deepen collaboration with the state government.
“Our goal is to bring the diaspora together and build strong partnerships with the state government. The enabling environment is in place for them to come home and invest,” she said.
Ezekwu added that Enugu state had taken the lead nationally by establishing diaspora desk officers in all local government areas, creating a structured channel for engagement and investment.
