Governor of Enugu state, Dr Peter Mbah has challenged youths in the State to seize emerging opportunities from the state’s proposed N100 billion creative and innovation fund to turn their ideas into wealth-creating ventures, as thousands of students across the tertiary institutions in the state declared unwavering support for his re-election and vowed massive mobilisation for his second tenure bid.
The students under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Enugu State chapter, made the declaration on Thursday , during a solidarity and appreciation visit to the governor at the Government House, Enugu.
The students said their support for Governor Mbah was not based on politics alone, but on what they described as visible transformations in education, infrastructure, transportation, technology, security, and youth empowerment recorded within three years of his administration.
Gov Mbah (1st Right)Commissioner for Youths and Sports Lloyd Ekweremadu ,Jnr( m).
Speaking on behalf of the students, Chairman of NANS JCC in Enugu State, Comrade Chukwube Okeke, described the governor as a visionary leader whose deliberate investments in education and human capital development had positioned Enugu for global competitiveness.
According to him, the administration’s sustained allocation of over 30 per cent of the state budget to education for three consecutive years remained one of the boldest educational investments on the African continent.
He commended the Governor on the Smart Green Schools initiative across the 260 political wards in the state, saying it had become a social equaliser capable of bridging the gap between children from wealthy and poor backgrounds.
“Today, people in rural communities can access the same quality education obtainable in Enugu urban without relocating.
“Governor Mbah is preparing Enugu children to compete favourably with their contemporaries in Japan, China, the United States, Canada, Singapore and other developed nations,” Okeke said.
The student leader further commended the governor for restoring security and tackling criminal activities, kidnapping, and sit-at-home disruptions that previously affected economic and academic activities across the state.
“We can now travel freely across Enugu State without fear. Students and residents now feel safer because of the decisive steps the governor has taken,” he said.
Gov Mbah making his speech
Okeke disclosed that students had already resolved to establish a mobilisation structure across campuses ahead of the next election to promote the governor’s achievements and ensure his victory at the polls.
“We have over three million students under our leadership and we have unanimously agreed to queue behind Governor Mbah for his seamless re-election. We will move round all the 21 campuses, both public and private institutions, to tell people about the remarkable work he is doing in Enugu State,” he said.
Also speaking, the President of the Students’ Union Government of Enugu State College of Health Technology and Chairman of the Council of SUG Presidents, Comrade Ali Victor, lauded the administration’s interventions in educational infrastructure, including ongoing hostel projects, institutional upgrades, and investments in the College of Nursing.
Similarly, the South East Coordinator of NANS, Comrade Ikechukwu Emmanuel, commended the state government’s digitisation drive and transportation reforms, noting that students now enjoy safer and more affordable movement across the state through the introduction of CNG buses.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Students and Youth Affairs, Comrade Prisca Okeke
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students and Youth Affairs, Comrade Prisca Okeke, appreciated the governor for prioritising education, healthcare, security, and youth development, assuring him of sustained support and mobilisation from students and youths across the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah described the students’ show of solidarity as emotional and symbolic, likening it to the biblical story of the widow’s mite.
“You have not given out of abundance. You have given all that you have. Through this sacrifice, you have shown that you are not just stakeholders but shareholders in the future of Enugu State,” the r said.
He explained that the administration’s huge investment in education was intentional and designed to build a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy capable of producing future innovators and entrepreneurs.
Governor Mbah revealed that the Smart Green Schools project went beyond physical classrooms, noting that each school would be equipped with modern facilities such as artificial intelligence centres, robotics hubs, ICT laboratories, CGI studios, 3D printers, and digital libraries.
“What we are doing in education has never happened anywhere on the continent. We currently have 267 Smart Green Schools standing today and by September 2026 the remaining ones will be fully operationalised,” he stated.
The governor further disclosed that the state government was establishing an incubation hub backed by a dedicated N100 billion fund to support creative youths, innovators, and entrepreneurs with transformative ideas capable of generating wealth and driving economic growth.
He said the initiative formed part of the administration’s broader economic agenda aimed at attracting investments and expanding Enugu State’s economy to $30 billion through private sector participation.
Governor Mbah also approved employment opportunities for qualified youths and urged students not to allow themselves to be deceived by politicians who lacked genuine vision for the future of Enugu State.
