Governor Mbah hails Nnaji at 70, applauds contribution to Nigeria’s development
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has congratulated former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, on his 70th birthday, describing his decision to return to Nigeria after achieving global success as the defining chapter of his life.
Mbah spoke on Friday at a colloquium held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, to mark Nnaji’s 70th birthday. The event, themed “Powering Tomorrow: 70 Years of Engineering the Common Good,” celebrated the renowned professor of Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing for his contributions to Nigeria’s development.
The governor said Nnaji’s life demonstrated that true success lies in using knowledge and experience to serve one’s community. He noted that the founder of Geometric Power returned home not out of necessity but out of a commitment to contribute to national development through innovation, infrastructure and public service.
“Professor Nnaji’s life reminds us that the journey is only complete when knowledge returns to serve the community that first nurtured it. For me, the defining chapter of his journey is not simply that he left, not simply that he succeeded, but that he returned,” Mbah said.
He added that his administration was working to build an Enugu where young people could acquire world-class education, develop their talents and pursue successful careers without feeling compelled to leave the country. According to him, the state is investing in Smart Green Schools equipped with robotics and artificial intelligence laboratories, expanding power infrastructure and strengthening engineering and digital skills.
Mbah also said the state aimed to become a destination that welcomes home Nigerians in the diaspora while attracting global talent and investment. He stressed that reliable infrastructure, innovation and enterprise were central to creating opportunities for young people.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu’s National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the initiative had improved access to tertiary education by ensuring that students were not denied opportunities because of financial constraints.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Abia State Governor Alex Otti; former Central Bank Governor Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Prof. Uche Azikiwe; Seplat Energy co-founder Dr. ABC Orjiakor; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta Mbata, as well as captains of industry and other dignitaries.
