Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Tuesday, paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the state for their sacrifice and struggles.
Mbah said this at a ceremony in Enugu, organised by the government to commemorate the 33 years of the creation of the state.
He said that the efforts of the founding fathers were not wasted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Enugu State was created on Aug. 27, 1991 by the Military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The governor said: “So, today is an opportunity to recall the sacrifices of our founding fathers, for whom the creation of our dear state was a life-long project.
“We honour their steadfast commitment – not just in words – but by our bold actions aimed to enthrone socio-economic order, consistent with the dreams that birthed Enugu State.”
He said that his administration was working toward making the state the premier destination for investments, businesses, tourism, and a place where basic utilities could truly be guaranteed.
“We are actually ticking all the boxes – from public water supply to quality public education and expanding the primary healthcare system.
“The dreams of Enugu’s founding fathers are not dreams betrayed as we have an absolute fidelity to those dreams, and to our pledge to bequeath a society of which the generations yet unborn will always be proud,” Mbah said.
In a related development, the Enugu State Development Association (ESDA), described the commemoration of the state’s creation as a mark of honour to the founding fathers.
The leader of ESDA, Chief Abel Nwobodo, who was also one of the founding fathers, said the struggle for the creation of Wawa State began during the colonial era.
In a speech at the ceremony, Nwobodo said: “It started far back in the 1950s until 1991, when it was finally created.
“It was a long journey and, today, most of us died even before the dream was realised but we thank God that the dream came through at last, while some of us are still alive.”
He commended successive administrations in the state for continuing to preserve the dreams and ideals of the founding fathers.
“Governors came and did their best in advancing the state and, today, we have a dependable, visionary and purposeful governor,” the elder statesman said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
