Enugu Exemplifies Tinubu’s Reform Impact in South-East, Says TMS Coordinator at First Lady’s Visit
The South-East Coordinator of the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), popularly known as Tinubu Must Stay, Professor Chinedu Ochinanwata, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms and infrastructure interventions, saying the transformation of Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah demonstrates the potential benefits of increased federal allocations to states.
Ochianwata also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to women’s economic empowerment, particularly through the distribution of business equipment and livelihood support to thousands of women across the South-East.
He spoke on the sidelines of the South-East presidential campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women’s Mobilisation Directorate at Okpara Square, Enugu, where the First Lady inaugurated an empowerment programme attended by governors, political leaders and thousands of women from the five South-East states.
The programme featured the distribution of sewing machines, grinding machines, popcorn machines and 25-kilogram bags of rice to beneficiaries as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship, economic independence and household welfare.
Ochinanwata, who also serves as Zonal Secretary for Stakeholders Mobilisation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Director of Research and Strategy in the Enugu State APC Campaign Council, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to inclusive development.
According to him, the First Lady’s intervention complements the President’s economic reforms by supporting women and vulnerable households while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
He also commended Governor Mbah for what he described as the effective use of increased federal allocations to accelerate development across Enugu State.
The TMS coordinator said the administration’s fiscal reforms had substantially increased resources available to state governments, giving them greater capacity to invest in education, healthcare, transportation and other critical infrastructure.
He cited the establishment of Smart Green Schools and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across Enugu State’s 260 electoral wards as examples of development initiatives being undertaken by the state government.
Ochinanwata also highlighted ongoing work on the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha highways, describing the roads as critical infrastructure corridors capable of strengthening regional connectivity, commerce and economic integration.
He maintained that increased allocations from the Federation Account had given state governments greater financial capacity to implement projects with a direct impact on citizens.
The professor further commended President Tinubu for appointing individuals from the South-East to key positions in his administration, describing the appointments and federal projects in the region as indications of the President’s commitment to inclusive national development.
Read Also:
He argued that the combined impact of federal reforms and state-level investments had created opportunities for the South-East to accelerate its economic transformation.
Ochinanwata urged residents of the region to sustain their cooperation with the Federal Government, saying the difficulties associated with economic reforms should not discourage Nigerians from supporting policies intended to deliver long-term prosperity.
He expressed confidence that continuity in the administration’s policies would consolidate infrastructure development, expand economic opportunities and improve living standards.
The TMS coordinator consequently appealed to the people of the South-East to support President Tinubu’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027, maintaining that policy continuity would help consolidate what he described as the gains of the administration.
Addressing the gathering, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the difficult phase of the administration’s economic reforms was giving way to a period of prosperity.
“We’ve finished reforms. Now is the time for prosperity. Don’t let anybody deceive you. The wait is over; we’re stepping into prosperity,” she declared.
She thanked the people of the South-East for their hospitality and support, recalling that she had received four traditional chieftaincy titles from communities in the region.
In his remarks, Governor Peter Mbah described the First Lady’s visit as a homecoming and commended her commitment to improving the economic circumstances of women.
Mbah said more than 2,000 women had benefited from empowerment initiatives in Enugu State within the preceding 48 hours, while the broader programme was designed to reach 5,000 women across the South-East.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also praised President Tinubu’s development agenda, citing interventions in road infrastructure, electricity, water supply and education.
Uzodimma said South-East governors had reviewed the administration’s performance and acknowledged its efforts to address development challenges affecting the region.
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, also expressed support for continued collaboration between the Federal Government and South-East states.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, commended President Tinubu for what he described as an inclusive approach to governance, highlighting the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Speaking on behalf of the wives of South-East governors, the First Lady of Enugu State, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, applauded Senator Tinubu for prioritising women’s economic empowerment and supporting vulnerable households.
She urged the beneficiaries to put the equipment and other assistance to productive use to improve their livelihoods.
The wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Godswill Akpabio, similarly commended the administration’s programmes and encouraged Nigerians to continue supporting its development initiatives.
The event brought together political leaders, government officials, APC stakeholders, traditional and community representatives, as well as women from Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states.
By PRNigeria
