The Holy Book is replete with copious verses where we are admonished to continue to place our trust in God. In other words, when something is placed in the hands of God, we will begin to see God’s hands in everything. When the immediate past administration taught out the propriety of handing over the affairs of the state into God’s hands, not quite a few sceptics sneered at the mantra “Enugu state is in the hands of God”. Convinced of the spiritual undertone of this mantra the administration steadily ran with it in virtually every sector of the Enugu State socio-political and economic endeavors.
A Political support group known as Enugu Di N’akachukwu Movement even emerged to give vent to this philosophy. For the sceptics till date, there could be no denying the fact that God’s hands has actually helped to steady the ship of Ndi Enugu despite her numerous challenges. And like in our local street lingo “if not for God-how e fo be?”
That God’s hands is in the affairs of Ndi Enugu is not in doubt. Monday, the 29th day of May, 2023 marked another turning point in the lives of the inhabitants of the coal city state. Despite the long road to victory laced with iron thorns, barbed hooks, God proved Himself again that He can be trusted to do all things.
Just like in the Book of Habakkuk
By faith, leave everything and everyone in the Lord’s hands and begin to look for His hand at work through everything and everyone. “His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden” (Habakkuk 3:4).
Barrister Peter Ndubusi Mba and now proudly the “changan” Executive Governor of Enugu State became part of God’s work in progress for Ndi Enugu. This much was revealed during the pre inauguration mass at the Holy Ghost cathedral, Ogui Enugu on Sunday, the 28th of May 2023. Following the last hurdle at the court which seeks to stop Mbah’s inauguration which judgment was in Mbah’s favour, it was certain that God is truly at work and the coast clear for his eventual inauguration on the 29th day of May, 2023.
And like someone already in God’s hands, the new Executive Governor reeled out a number of innovative disruptions which he hopes to speedily tackle in the interest of the common good of all as he makes his inuagural speech preparatory to hopping into the Lion Building. As an objective thinker and writer, I am impelled to challenge the new Executive Governor to not just stop at making heavy promises but should get down to the real deal. Governor Mbah should also do well to remember that his long and eloquent rendition of his government policies have been recorded and would still be opened to him at the end of his first four year tenure in office. His charismatic zeal to fulfill all the promises contained in his road map to “Ndi Enugu’s tomorrow” today or otherwise can only guarantee him a positive or negative place in history. I am certain that Mbah as a man of honor and integrity would like to be remembered on the positive side of history.
One striking aspect of Gov. Ndubusi Mbah’s declaration at the Okpara Square during his inauguration was his intent to sign a brand new Executive Order 001 tagged ‘Citizens’ Charter’ which seeks to situate the cardinal planks of his administration on the tripod of justice, equity and transparency and to demonstrate his administration’s resolve to promote these values to both the investors and the citizens of the state. The Citizens’ Charter according to Gov. Mbah would embody citizens’ assess to information on how their money would be spent, why his team should be held accountable on finances and projects and why investors should trust his government and partner with it for the growth of the economy.
As stated earlier, our new Governor should do well to walk his talk. It is still a well known fact that peace is absolutely second to none for a society and its government desirous to secure a progressive environment. But again, peace hardly thrives in a society devoid of justice. If our Governor is desirous as contained in his speech to replicate the wonders of the Singapore and Dubai in Enugu soil, he should strive for justice and peace in the land like a deer yearning for water at all cost. He should embrace all irrespective of political or clannish concerns to secure their buy-in for a greater Enugu and work to ensure that local politics with the potential to cause exponential threat to the survival of his government and the peace of Ndi Enugu is nipped in the bud.
Talking about youth empowerment to drive his policies, I am also impelled to bring to the notice of our new Governor that a large chunk of our middle aged population have rather embraced thuggery and violence to eke out their living. Moving around the streets of Enugu especially along the Opi byepass to Abakpa-Nike, there are noticeable young men weilding cudgels and other intimidating tools to harass and extort money from motorists at intermittent junctions and corners. Our new Governor it will really be of interest to you if you probe the activities of these young men to ascertain who sent them and in whose interest they are harassing the citizens. Your new Citizens’ Charter would make better sense if every hurdle howbeit inconsequential is cleared out of the way for genuine investors to came rushing into the state. It is only this way that your dream of the Singaporean and Emirates wonders in Enugu soil will become a reality.
In conclusion our new Governor, let every of your itemized policy and innovative agenda begin to take shape. Work as if your tenure will end in the next couple of hours. Let the tomorrow of Ndi Enugu come today.
Most importantly, let the affairs of Ndi Enugu continue to be in the hands of God, Amen…
Congratulations from all of us, members of Enugu di n’aka Chukwu movement. May the grace of God continue to overshadow you as you resume in office to fulfill your campaign promises.
© Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
Public Affairs Commentator and Media Team lead for ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT.
