Hon. Onyekwere Nwobodo
By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah-led administration has been described as a government with a different mindset, apparently, not similar in any way to the previous ones that governed the state.
“This is a government with a different mindset. We listen, we engage, and we are determined to deliver on our promises,” said the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hon Onyekwere Nwobodo.
Nwobodo’s assertion comes as Editors in Nigeria have reportedly expressed satisfaction with the performance of Governor Mbah, describing the administration’s development agenda as one that “sells itself” while pleading for stronger engagement with the state government.
Nwobodo spoke on Wednesday while briefing Government House correspondents on the outcome of his recent media engagement tour of Lagos and Abuja. The SA to the Governor on Media reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency, stressing that Governor Mbah welcomes constructive criticism and ensures that every correspondence addressed to the government receives attention.
Explaining the objective of the Lagos and Abuja media engagement tours, Nwobodo, who was a former journalist with The Punch newspapers, said that the visit was part of efforts to reconnect with editors, many of whom are his long-time professional colleagues, solicit their views on the administration’s performance, and strengthen collaboration with the media.
According to him, “I didn’t want to assume that because I knew them and they knew me, everything would be fine. I considered it important to meet them in my new role, renew our relationship, seek their support, and also hear their honest assessment of the government.”
The editors, Nwobodo said, gave Governor Mbah an overwhelmingly positive assessment, saying the administration’s projects had made his job of promoting the government much easier.
He said: “The general assessment was that they know what Governor Mbah is doing, they like what he is doing, and they recommend his programmes. They told me I have a product that sells itself because the projects are visible and marketable.”
Nwobodo, who was the former Managing Director of the Enugu State Government-owned Daily Star newspapers, explained that the editors also offered suggestions on how government programmes could receive wider national and international publicity.
He stated, “You don’t light a candle and hide it under a table. Projects speak for themselves, but they still need maximum exposure. That is why we invited them to make proposals, and many useful ideas are already coming in.”
He said that upon coming back from the journey, he briefed Governor Mbah on the outcome and secured approvals on several requests, including a meeting between the governor and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council. The SA added that the governor also approved the settlement of outstanding subventions owed to some media organisations and assured that regular payments would resume.
He advised journalists covering Government House to remain patient and assured them that the administration recognised their contributions and would continue to support the media. He described the Mbah-led administration as “a government in a hurry to deliver,” explaining that available resources were being channelled into strategic projects designed to transform the state.
On whether the editors identified any shortcomings in the administration, Nwobodo said they expressed satisfaction with the governor’s performance but requested greater access to government officials. “They told me they are happy with what the governor has done. What they want is closer engagement, and we assured them that the government has nothing to hide and will continue to open its doors to constructive interaction,” he said.
On the ongoing International Conference Centre (ICC) Hotel project, Nwobodo said work had not stalled but was progressing in line with specifications provided by the Marriott Group, which is expected to manage the facility. He explained that the redesign was necessary to meet international hospitality standards required to attract global conferences, airline crews, and investors.
