Governor Mbah in Akpawfu: A New Dawn for a Neglected Land

By Sullivan Edeani

Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Governor Peter Mbah will visit Akpawfu, marking a pivotal moment for a community long overlooked by the tides of progress. His presence to inaugurate the Akpawfu Smart Green School, launch the flagship farm estate, and inspect the ongoing construction of critical road networks signifies a bold commitment to uplifting a community that has endured decades of neglect by preceding governments. These initiatives, meticulously planned and fully funded under his leadership, embody the fulfillment of his manifesto to drive inclusive development across Enugu State. By choosing Akpawfu, a fiercely politically marginalized community that has never produced an elected official, as the flag-off point for a transformative agricultural project spanning all 360 political wards of the state, Governor Mbah has declared himself a true son of the land, a leader who sees value where others saw none. His vision is not just about infrastructure; it is about restoring dignity, unlocking potential, and rooting Akpawfu firmly in Enugu’s tomorrow.

For generations, Akpawfu has existed in isolation, untouched by the advancements that have reshaped other parts of Enugu State. No tarred roads have ever smoothed our paths, leaving farmers and traders to navigate dusty trails that become impassable in the rainy season. No hospitals have stood to care for our sick, forcing them to wander deserts in search of life, and pregnant women to walk the valley of fate. Only the hands of native midwives have stood as lamps against the darkness of maternal mortality. No quality schools have nurtured our children, limiting their education to rudimentary facilities that stifle their potential. No phone or internet networks have connected us to the outside world, leaving our voices unheard and our opportunities constrained. Yet, Akpawfu has persevered, sustained by the resilience of its people and the richness of its soil. Our farmers have long produced the finest Nkwu-ocha (palm wine), Mmanu (palm oil), Ji, and Akpu in the region, alongside other crops like rice, cocoyam, livestock, and beans, their craftsmanship renowned but limited by inaccessibility.

Governor Mbah has recognized these challenges and responded with a comprehensive plan to transform our community.

The road projects, a cornerstone of his visit, are set to break Akpawfu’s isolation. The A4 road, stretching from Amodu through Akpugo, Akpawfu, to Amagunze, the Isiagu Akpawfu to Agudene Akpawfu road, which is just a few kilometers from linking to Oruku-Nike, and the Ndiagu Akpawfu to Ovu-Lake road, connecting to the state’s largest lake situated in the community, are fully initiated and funded by the governor. These roads will connect Akpawfu to urban centers like Enugu City, enabling farmers to transport their goods efficiently. For a community whose economy relies on agriculture, this connectivity will be transformative. The ability to deliver Nkwu-ocha, Mmanu, rice, yams, livestock, and more to markets will increase incomes, attract buyers, and stimulate trade. These roads will also improve access to healthcare, education, and communication, integrating Akpawfu into the broader economic and social framework of Enugu State. Governor Mbah’s decision to prioritize and fully fund these routes reflects his understanding of infrastructure as a catalyst for growth, ensuring that Akpawfu’s contributions are no longer confined to its borders.

The Akpawfu Smart Green School, another flagship project, underscores Governor Mbah’s commitment to education as a foundation for progress. This state-of-the-art facility, provided free to all students, incorporates artificial intelligence and sustainable design to offer a modern learning environment. For Akpawfu’s children, who have long studied in nonexistent or inadequate classrooms with limited resources, this school is a gateway to opportunity. The AI-driven tools will introduce them to advanced knowledge, equipping them with skills to compete in a globalized world, while the focus on sustainability aligns with the community’s agricultural heritage. By ensuring that education is accessible to all, Governor Mbah demonstrates a belief that every child, regardless of their background, deserves a chance to succeed. This school is a testament to his vision of equity and excellence, positioning Akpawfu’s youth to lead the community and the nation into a prosperous future.

The flagship farm estate, set to be launched during this visit, is a cornerstone of Governor Mbah’s manifesto to revolutionize agriculture across Enugu State. In Akpawfu, this estate will transform not only the production of Nkwu-ocha and Mmanu but also crops like rice, yams, livestock, and more. These will be mechanically cultivated, processed, and packaged for export, elevating Akpawfu’s agricultural output to national and international markets. The estate will introduce modern equipment, improved farming techniques, and value-added processing, enabling farmers to increase yield and quality while reducing labor. This initiative will create jobs for the youth, who would otherwise leave the village, and provide economic stability for families. By choosing Akpawfu as the flag-off point for this ambitious project, which is being replicated across all 360 political wards of Enugu State, Governor Mbah has placed our community at the forefront of his agricultural revolution. This decision highlights his commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that even marginalized areas like Akpawfu play a central role in the state’s economic growth.

The significance of Governor Mbah’s visit extends beyond these projects. Akpawfu, a community that has never produced an elected official or top bureaucrat and has faced vicious political marginalization, has now found a champion in the governor. His choice to launch these initiatives here is a powerful statement that Akpawfu matters. It acknowledges the resilience of a people who have thrived despite neglect, producing exceptional agricultural goods and resilient human capital with limited resources. The roads will bring visitors and trade, the school will produce scholars, and the farm estate will generate wealth, all under Governor Mbah’s guidance. His hands-on approach, through personally inspecting the road construction and overseeing the launch of these projects, demonstrates a commitment to ensuring their success. By fully funding the roads and prioritizing education and agriculture, he has removed barriers to progress, setting a model for governance that other leaders should emulate.

Governor Mbah’s visit is a recognition of Akpawfu’s worth and potential. His manifesto promised to uplift every corner of Enugu State, and in Akpawfu, that promise is being fulfilled. The roads will connect us to opportunities, the school will empower our children, and the farm estate will transform our agricultural heritage into a source of prosperity. These initiatives are not isolated projects but part of a cohesive strategy to address the systemic challenges that have held Akpawfu back. They reflect a leader who understands that true progress leaves no one behind, especially not a community as resilient and resourceful as ours. Ovu Lake, the largest lake in Enugu State and long forgotten, is being designed under Governor Mbah’s vision as a resort with numerous attractions, poised to transform Akpawfu into a national tourist destination. This ambitious plan will further elevate the community’s profile, drawing visitors and investment to our land.

Oh, Governor Mbah! Your Ovu Lake masterstroke is a story ready to break free, destined to shine on its own, and we eagerly await as you turn this vision that will transform our forgotten village into a national tourist attraction into reality.

This August visit is a defining moment, a beacon of hope for a community long in the shadows. For a people who have never had a voice, Governor Mbah has become our advocate, our new son, and our guide to a brighter future. His legacy in Akpawfu will endure, a testament to leadership that sees, acts, and transforms. The community acknowledges his efforts, which will reshape our destiny and place Akpawfu on the map as a hub of progress and possibility.

Nnoo!! Your Excellency!

Toshikwa, Ezigbo Onye Ndu!!

Toshia, Onyeizhi!!!

Indeed, Our Tomorrow is Here.

Sullivan Edeani

is a Ph.D. Student in Kentucky,

United States.