In a bid to save lives and ensure sanity in all tertiary institutions, the Enugu State Government has banned all forms of reckless driving and car show by graduating students in all tertiary institutions owned by the State.

The ban was contained in a circular issued and signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Prof Nwabueze Mbah on Friday.

The Circular sent to all the heads of tertiary institutions in Enugu State such as ESUT, SUMAS, IMT, ESCET and ESPOLY noted that the ban follows a resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly to prohibit car rides and alcoholic abuse by graduating students in the state’s higher educational institutions.

The statement titled “RE: Resolution of The Honourable House on a Motion to ban Car Rides
and Alcoholic Abuse During STUDENTS’ Graduation Celebration in the
Tertiary Institutions of Learning in Enugu State: reads

“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State received with dismay a report of a culture of alcoholic abuse and dangerous car rides in our tertiary institutions during graduation ceremonies.

“His Excellency directs that all Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Enugu State should strictly adhere to
the following resolutions of the Enugu State House of Assembly (ENHA):

• Ban on all forms of reckless celebration during graduation ceremonies.
• Ban on all forms of reckless car shows and driving involving hanging on vehicle roofs and
  windows by jubilating students and their cohorts.

“You are hereby requested to implement the resolutions of the Enugu State House of Assembly and the directive of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State.”

It is no longer need that cases of reckless driving, acholic abuse during graduation celebrations in tertiary Institutions have caused more havocs often times leading to loss of lives, avoidable accident and traffic on major roads

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…Assembly Promises Early Passage

By Our Correspondent

Enugu – Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has proposed a record N971bn budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Presenting the estimates entitled “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity” at the floor of the House on Tuesday, Mbah said the proposed estimates comprised N837.9bn Capital Expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the budget estimates, and a Recurrent Expenditure component of N133.1bn, representing only14 per cent of the budget.

This topples the record-holding 2024 budget of N521.5bn, consisting of N414.3bn Capital Expenditure, representing 79 per cent of the total budget and N107.2bn Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent.

However, like the 2024 budget, the 2025 budget proposal emphasizes huge investment in education as well as basic but critical infrastructure and amenities like roads and bridges, water supply, transport services, energy, modernization and digitization of public services and associated processes, with the Education sector getting a lion-share of N320.6bn, representing over 33 per cent of the total budget for two consecutive years.

Mbah said that this was in line with his administration target of poverty eradication and an inclusive development model, which ensures that no one or segment of the society is left behind.

The governor equally announced a growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from N37.4bn at the end of 2023 to N144.7bn in September 2024, representing a radical 286.2 per cent increase in line with the administration’s deliberate effort to wean the state off reliance on FAAC allocations.

Addressing the House, Mbah said, “In crafting this budget, we have sort to continue to lay the right foundation in Enugu to enhance the economy and attract even more private investment.

“In spite of the dreary economic environment across the country, for us here in Enugu, we have elected to remain bullish in our aspirations, and to double down on our commitment to elevate our state to top three status in terms of GDP nationally, and eradicate poverty from our midst.

“Indeed, we see this as a vindication of our previously espoused view that sustainable national growth can really only be driven from the sub-national units to the federal levels, and not the other way round as we have attempted to do to date.

“It is on account of this that we are proposing to the House of Assembly today, a budget with a total envelope of N971,084,000,000.00 as against the budget for 2024 fiscal year which totaled N521,561,386,000.00.

“This represents an 86.4 per cent increase from the 2024 revised budget.

“The budget is broken down as follows: N133,140,000,000.00 as Recurrent Expenditure and N837,944,000,000.00 as Capital Expenditure,” he said.

On sources of revenue, he said, “In the area of our revenues, we estimated that total Recurrent revenues during 2025 will amount to N692,179,000,000 as against the approved revised provision for 2024 of N383,789,000,000.00.

“The Recurrent revenues for 2025 are broken down as follows: opening balance – N32,000,000,000; Internally Generated Revenue, IGR – N509,947,000,000; statutory revenue – N48,749,000,000; exchange rate differential – N26,559,000,000; and Value Added Tax, VAT – N74,924,000,000.

“With the total Recurrent Expenditure at N133,140,000,000.00, this translates to a Net Recurrent Revenue of N559,039,000,000.00, which is thus transferred to the Capital Development Fund.

“The total Capital Expenditure for the year 2025 is projected at N837,944,000,000.00 as against N414,334,120,000.00 for the 2024 Revised Budget. The Current Capital Expenditure estimate will be funded from the sum of N559,039,000,000.00 to be transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and the Capital receipts of N278,905,000,000.00 to be realized as follows: External and Internal Aids and Grants – N15,000,000,000; other receipts – N80,202,000,000; Domestic Loans/Borrowings receipts – N55,000,000,000; and International Loans/Borrowings – N128,503,000,000.”

Meanwhile, in terms of broad sectors, the Economic Sector got a lion share of N462bn, representing 55.1 per cent of the Capital Expenditure, followed by the Social Sector with N345.7bn, representing 41.2 per cent.

In terms of specific sectors, Education got 33.2 per cent, the largest chunk, in sync with Mbah’s effort to eradicate poverty and graduate the state to a knowledge-based economy.

“As we must all know by now, Education is both our ‘sword’ and ‘shield’ in this battle to achieve economic growth in our state and banish poverty and want among our population. Consequently, we are maintaining the ambitious direction we charted in 2024 by voting a total of N320,609,059,000,00 for that sector. This represents 78% of the social sector of the budget and 33.2% of our Capital Expenditure this year,” he stated.

The governor explained that the 2025 budget would also focus greatly on health, road infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and water sectors, among others.

“There can be no economic growth without quality healthcare. This is why we are spending N45,830,896,000.00 on the sector this year.

“In the area of Works and Infrastructure, we will continue our relentless advance towards our target to build or refurbish all key roads across the state by 2031. In line with this, we will spend a total of N213,120,267,000.00 in 2025.

“Food inflation is a major component of core inflation in Nigeria. Consequently, food production is critical to moderation of the currently high levels of inflation in the Country. As a result, we will be spending up to N82,300,761,000.00 in the agricultural and agro-industrialisation sector this year.

In the area of Transport, we will be spending a total of N41,132,463,000.00 to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of 4 additional aircraft. In addition, we will be consummating the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam international airport as well as the construction of an international cargo terminal. We will also be floating a new taxi scheme in collaboration with the private sector to modernize urban and inter-urban transportation for Ndi Enugu.

2024 Budget Performance

Giving a breakdown of the state’s IGR and overall performance of the 2024 budget, the governor noted a remarkable increase in the state’s IGR since the inception of this administration, explaining that while the state’s IGR stood at N26.8bn in 2022, the administration it by 39 per cent to N37.4bn at the end of 2023.

However, as at September 2024, the state’s IGR had drastically increased to ₦144.7bn, representing a 286.2 per cent increase, expressing confidence that ti would surpass 200billion by the end of the year.

“In terms of budgetary performance, the total revenue realised in the state as at October 2024 came to N459,851,309,396.47, which comes to a budget performance of 88%. Of this amount, N178,354,494,502.47 related to Statutory Receipts, while N136,700,000,000.00 related to Capital Receipts and N144,796,814,894.00 to Internally Generated Revenue.

“As at October, these inflows had been applied to Expenditure with N382,427,929,564.00 as Capital Expenditure and N76,546,090,116.18 as Recurrent Expenditure. These translated to a budget performance of 88%. Additional revenues and Expenditure are still expected before the end of the year, with IGR envisaged to surpass the N200 billion mark.

“While we may make bold to say that our progress in this past year is commendable given the odds that were arraigned against the state economy, we are not yet ready to rest on our oars,” Mbah said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, has promised early passage of the budget by the House to sustain the governor’s development strides.

“He exhibited his leadership mantra, tomorrow is here.

“Because you have demonstrated enormous capacity; because you have exhibited enormous potential of the very fabric of our state’s economy, I want to assure you that the House of Assembly shall expeditiously consider this and give you the legal framework to continue flying high,” Hon. Ugwu stated.

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Although the demolition of Ogige Market in Nuskka Local Government Area came with hardships, sufferings and misgivings, the member representing Nsukka East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Engr Dr Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu has stated that the pains are temporary as the benefits will outweigh the current suffering.

Hon Dr Ezugwu who sympathised with the affected traders and shop-owners said the demolition was done in good faith and called on the affected traders and the good people of Nsukka to give the Enugu Government under Barr. Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the opportunity to carry out his immense development plans for the area.

“Initially, there was a lot of emotions and misunderstanding. When I was outside the country, I often see buildings being demolished, which initially seemed unnecessary. However, after seeing the development that followed, I understood the process. The demolition of Ogige Market in Nuskka is causing temporary pain, but it’s necessary for long-term benefits. The new shopping spaces will be more efficient, and we’re intervening to ensure that shop-owners can afford the new spaces made available. The pain is temporary, but the benefits will be long-lasting, Hon Dr Ezugwu told journalists in Enugu.

He explained why the demolition was unavoidable despite the obvious sufferings and pains the people would experience

“The government is seeking to acquire one or two hectares for development. The issue is that the market is very close to the main road, so demolishing parts of it affects shops. However, the intention behind these actions are for the overall development and benefit of Ndi Nsukka in particular and Ndi Enugu in general.”

When asked to know if the affected traders and shop-owners were compensated, Hon Ezugwu said although he was not in the know, but added that it is the norm to compensate people whose structures are demolished for development adding that the development of the new ultra-modern bus terminal will be completed within 12 months once the project takes off.

“I’m not in the capacity to answer that, but from what I know, they were given enough notice last year in October. Compensation was provided to those at Ogui, so I believe the shop owners at Nsukka will also receive compensation.

“It is expected to last for 12 months. There is day and night construction to ensure high-quality work is completed promptly,” he added.

BRT Purchased, Compensation Paid – Commissioner for Transportation Obi Ozor

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Obi Ozor, in has confirmed that the affected traders were paid compensation even as he disclosed that 5, 000 Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) have been purchased by the state government awaiting delivering. 

He explained that there was need to rejig the state’s transport system to match with what is obtainable in the developed countries of the world, stressing that it made no sense for the administration to build all the roads in Enugu and end up with unkept and highly disorganised and outdated motor parks that make life difficult for commuters.

“The Dr. Peter Mbah Administration has resolved to ensure a total overhaul of our transportation system: air, railway, road, and even the waterways.

“The contractors that will handle the railway project from Enugu, Nsukka to Uzo-Uwani are already in Enugu, and of course you know the governor is already on his toes to ensure that the international terminal at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is completed and functional.

“Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, buses with 80-passenger capacity have already been bought and will arrive in Enugu in no distant time. All this is because the state has discovered that half of our salaries go to transportation. We want to reduce the pains of Ndi Enugu and uplift their standard of living.

“We need to start developing Igbo land and change our transportation system so that our people can travel, import, and export their goods with ease.

“We also want to make a passionate appeal that those affected should bring their documents for enumeration, as it will help us to pay compensation and allocate spaces once the project is completed in 12-month time. We will give them the right of first refusal,” Ozor said.

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By Amaechi Agbo

A United States of America, USA University, TBU Extension University, has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree on the member representing Nsukkat East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Engr. Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu.

Hon Ezugwu received the degree certificate of Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration in Enugu on Saturday, July 13, 2024 through African Society for Public Administrators, Leaders and Managers (ASPALM) in Affiliation with TBU Extension University.

ASPALM is a regional executive education platform founded on the ideal philosophy to innovate and improve the practice and development of management, leadership and governance in Africa, with Nigeria as the lead country.

It serves as a network centre, connecting and collating leadership experiences of other regional economies and underpinning the lessons for Africa’s growth and advancement especially in the area of Public Administration and Management

Speaking During the conferment ceremony in Enugu, Hon Engr Dr Pius Ezugwu expressed gratitude to ASPALM for finding him worthy of the honour and lauded the Enugu State government for providing the enabling environment for enduring relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in redefining Enugu State.

He noted that the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree will spur him to do more in areas of human empowerment, development as well as initiating bills that will ensure the progress of the good people of Enugu State.

“I am delighted to have been considered for the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree (Ph’D) in Public Administration by ASPALM in affiliation with TBU Extension University, USA. This is a testament that the little efforts we are making towards improving the well-being of our people are being recognized. I want to thank ASPALM for this great honour.

“I want to also appreciate the Enugu state government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for providing the synergy for the effective relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in Enugu State in changing the dynamics of leadership.

“This conferment is a push to do more and I will not relent. Indeed, Tomorrow is Here. On behalf of the good people of Nsukka East Constituency, I say thank you and God bless,” Hon Engr Dr Ezugwu said. 

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The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT will in no distance play host to the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Education.

The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon Osita Eze told ESUT Monitor in an interview in his office that the visit will take place within the second quarter of the year.

The lawmaker representing Oji River State Constituency noted that the visit would enable the lawmakers and the management of the institution to interface on issues affecting the university.

“Last year and even this year, we’ve been having some forms of communication, but we have not gone for any oversight in ESUT. By the second quarter, you would see us in ESUT and in different places.

“The oversight is important, apart from being a constitutional matter, it is also important that we visit ESUT and other institutions within our jurisdiction to interface with them,” he said.

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By Joseph Joy

Baring last minute change in plans, the Enugu State House of Assembly is set to initiate proceedings to amend the law establishing the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.

Lawmaker representing Orji River State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Honourable Osita Eze who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in his office recently, noted that the need to amend the law became necessary in view of prevailing health needs of the residents of the state.

Hon Eze who said he has concluded plans to introduce the bill for amendment of the law added that the intent of the new bill is to strengthen the capacity of the hospital in training and producing more nurses in the state,

“I have plans to initial a bill for the amendment of the law establishing the Paklane Teaching Hospital and the one in Agwu Campus. Because of the need for nurses in our hospitals and need for better medical care to the hospitals, we need nurses. The number of nurses we have, most of them have gone abroad, and their services are highly sought out in other parts of the country.

“This is the story behind the establishment of other centres that would help produce more nurses that would take care of the various hospitals in Enugu state and even beyond. Their services are well sought, and we need to produce more. We can’t have more than enough because their services would be needed even outside the states – within the country and outside the country. And that would generate more money in the country and within the state,” Hon Eze said.

The ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane was established via an Act signed by the then Governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani in April 2006

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