UNICEF has commended Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah, for his significant investments in education, primary healthcare, and infrastructure, recognizing his leadership as a turning point for the state’s development.
The praise came from Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, the Chief of Field Office for UNICEF in Enugu, during the signing of the Enugu Government Multiyear 2025/2027 Workplan at the Government House on Wednesday. Chiluwe highlighted Mbah’s remarkable leadership and dedication to improving essential sectors, noting that his efforts have created positive changes for the people of Enugu.
“I am delighted by Governor Mbah’s leadership, particularly his focus on the welfare of children and women,” Chiluwe said. She emphasized that Enugu had become a leader in implementing the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) masterplan and praised Mbah’s initiative in establishing smart schools. She also acknowledged the governor’s commitment to upgrading the primary healthcare system, which now includes enhanced services at Level 2 healthcare facilities.
Chiluwe, who has been in Enugu for three years, also pointed out the state’s impressive progress in infrastructure, security, and social welfare. UNICEF’s ongoing collaboration with the Enugu State Government is part of the Country Programme of Cooperation (CPC) that began in 2023 and will run until 2027. She stressed the importance of collective efforts, particularly from local governments, to achieve Open Defecation Free status and implement social protection policies aimed at eradicating poverty.
Governor Mbah responded by thanking UNICEF for its unwavering support and partnership. He assured that his administration remains committed to tackling pressing social challenges, as reflected in the state’s budgetary priorities. Mbah highlighted that education continues to receive the highest allocation in the budget, with 33% dedicated to it, consistent across the 2024 and 2025 cycles.
In addition to education, the governor emphasized that his administration is making substantial progress in healthcare, citing the completion and equipping of 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres in every electoral ward. These centres, he explained, go beyond just infrastructure they also include medical staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and round-the-clock electricity.
Mbah also shared plans to address the shortage of health personnel, announcing the recruitment of 2,500 healthcare workers to bolster the system. On education, he revealed that the smart schools initiative would roll out by September, benefiting over 300,000 students with access to healthcare, nutritious meals, and a healthy learning environment.
Lastly, Mbah outlined the state’s ongoing 7,500 mass housing project, designed to relocate people from urban slums and eliminate open defecation. This initiative reflects the governor’s unwavering dedication to ensuring that residents lead comfortable lives in Enugu.
With such comprehensive investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, Governor Peter Mbah is positioning Enugu as a leader in the region, with sustainable development that prioritizes the well-being of its people.
