Just yesterday, I encountered some inspirational words online that really stuck. Someone wrote: ‘our dreams are real, it is our fears that are imaginary’. I read it over and over again. Nothing could be more true. I found the words moving. It relates directly to my personal life, and I daresay to the lives of millions of people out there, especially the Igbo, who have an age-old reputation for creating opportunities out of nothing.
The only criticism that has dogged Peter Mbah’s phenomenal Manifesto, which he presented on October 13, 2022 is the concern in some quarters as to whether his dreams for a new Enugu is realisable. The concern is valid. It is a sign that deep down we all really hunger for some kind of magical burst of energy and innovation that can blast us into the Enugu of our hearts’ desire.
In 2021, France had the highest number of international travellers (about 22.6 million persons), who visited basically for tourism. Imagine the impact on the French economy! The major attraction in France is the Eiffel Tower. If you walked into Central London today even at mid-night you would see hundreds of tourists taking pictures in front of Buckingham Palace. Tourism opens all facets of the economy. It puts everyone’s hand on deck.
The amount of money Thailand and Hon Kong rake in from tourism yearly is incredible. In Maldives, more than 40 percent of the economy depends on tourism and related services. In fact, if anything untoward happened to the tourism industry of that tiny South-Asian Island, the economy would crumble. Enugu has more beautiful landscapes than most of these places. Sadly, they are not yet harnessed to create jobs and revenue.
Disneyland in California, US generated 67.418 billion dollars in 2021. At Disney, money does not rain, it pours. Yet, that magical world of play is as recent as 1955. How was it birthed? After watching his two daughters ride merry-go-round at a Park in Los Angeles, Walt Disney began to map the idea of creating a world of fun in which both children and adults can take part. And so Disney was born! On average, 20 million persons visit the Park yearly just to catch fun.
More than 50 percent of the artists in Nigeria - musicians, comedians, actors, actresses - are from South-East. Most of them are in Lagos creating opportunities for others. It is time to harness their skills here.
Peter Mbah is not building his plans on a quicksand. He has carefully mapped his ideas. If he talks about growing the economy of Enugu State seven-fold – from 4.4 billion to 30 billion (dollars), it is clear to him how he intends to raise the money.
He has told us that the rolling hills of Udi and the rolling hills of Nsukka will no longer lie waste. I do believe him! Those are tourist attractions that can give jobs, and generate revenue if they are properly put to use. What about the Ezeagu waterfalls and beautiful coastal rivers in Uzo-Uwani and Oji River? Those are jobs and revenues lying fallow. And what about Cinema Parks? Enugu is pregnant. Our PVCs are the mid-wives that will bring the baby to the world.
After listening to Peter Mbah and his magnificient ideas, don’t you feel irritated to listen to candidates with regular, everyday ideas? Don’t you? Personally, I do.
I don’t know how many of us have seen the pictures of Ndubuisi Mbah’s Tank Farms that are making rounds. If you have not, you should. It is a magnificient spectacle of innovation, an astonishing display of enterprenual empire, the capstone of science and technology, and the zenith of the capacity of the modern man. This is simply why Ndubuisi Mbah has credibility. He has set precedence of achieving what is considered near-impossible. As recent as 2008, PINNACLE was just budding out from a studio apartment. Now, here we are!
President Mohammed Buhari is expected to flag off the Tank Farm soon. To God be the glory – the cock whose voice is waking up the neighbourhood is from our homestead. Considering his capacity, Peter Mbah is headed for the office of President. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
God bless Enugu State!
May God protect, guide and prosper the Mbah/Ossai 2023 project.
