As Dr Peter Mbah assumes office today as governor of Enugu State, eminent Catholic clergymen have advised him to remain focused and avoid career politicians who have nothing to add to his administration.
The cleric, who prayed for Mbah’s success in office, asked God to give him the strength, courage and wisdom to transform and lead the state to the Promised Land.
They extolled the peaceful virtues embodied by the outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration.
While the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship, Dr Callistus Onaga prayed for the success of the incoming administration of Mbah at a thanksgiving/inauguration celebration yesterday at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, Monsignor Obiora Ike enjoined him to consider only technocrats and experts in his appointments to fast-track the implementation of his agenda for the overall benefit of the state.
He charged Mbah to avoid career politicians with little or nothing to contribute to his programmes as contained in his manifesto.
On his part, Bishop Onaga at the event tagged: “Transition Thanksgiving Mass” organised by the state government to appreciate God for the successful completion of two terms of eight years of the Ugwuanyi administration and the inauguration of the Mbah administration, prayed for sustained and peaceful transition of government on May 29, 2023.
Onaga said Mbah’s victory at the March 18 governorship election was an act of God already designed for that purpose and called on all residents and citizens in the state to support the new administration in order to bring the desired positive change that would impact on the lives of the people.
He also stated that the church was having double celebration because of the Feast of the Holy Spirit popularly called Pentecost Sunday, saying that the Cathedral took its name after the feast, while adding that the state had every reason to be grateful to God for the journey so far.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the deputy governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo were present at the celebration. Also, both Mbah, and the deputy governor-elect, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai attended with their spouses, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah and Mrs Adaeze Ossai, respectively.
While calling on public servants in the country to see themselves as people called to serve and not to enrich themselves with public funds, Monsignor Ike urged them to shun corruption and prioritize the needs that would advance the common good of the public.
Expressing optimism that the governor-elect would not only transform but also industrialise the state through his robust programmes and policies, the cleric further commended him as a rare technocrat who has cut his teeth in the private sector where his company is presently the dominant player in the oil and gas downstream sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.
Mbah had promised not to spare any time before vigorously pursuing his disruptive innovation, which would engender industrialisation, growth and development across the various sectors in the state.
