From the beginning of his administration, Barr Peter Mbah set out to recruit a mostly young team,from remarkable and diverse backgrounds.
From Nsukka Local Government the governor picked a man who prefers to be simply called Chika Ugwuoke, a man who has achieved remarkable success in the private sector, Oxford trained man of means, who remains very humble and unassuming.
His transition into public service under the stewardship of Dr. Peter Mbah underscores the profound impact that virtuous leadership can have on governance.
Pharmacist Chika Ugwuoke’s journey in the private sector has been marked by exceptional discipline, diligence and integrity, qualities that propelled him to the establishment of a business conglomerate in and outside Nigeria.
These virtues seamlessly translated into his public service, where he applied the same principles to serve the people of Enugu State as the commissioner for Labour and Productivity since 2023.
While in the ministry of Labour, the commissioner played a critical role in the negotiation and implementation of Governor Peter Mbah’s welfarist plan for Enugu workers, ranging from minimum wage of N80,000 which ranks Enugu the second highest in the entire country, to the payment of arrears of gratuities to pensioners, verification of Enugu workers and many transformative initiatives.
He brought succour to many youths through skills development acquisitions. He oversaw many collaborations locally and internationally between the ministry and other agencies in the areas of productivity enhancement. Industrial relations in Enugu has been at its best levels under his watch, making Enugu the state with the best ranking in labour relations in Nigeria.
Hon Ugwuoke created a new platform of engagement between the state government and the organised private sector in the state, developing job creation and employee retention opportunities for private employers.The first unemployment register and labour market information station was established by Pharmacist Ugwuoke following the digitisation of the hitherto analogue ministry.
By recruiting individuals like Ugwuoke, who embody the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct, Dr. Mbah has set a precedent for the caliber of leadership required to drive meaningful change in future.
The success of Ugwuoke’s integration into public service serves as a compelling call to action for other individuals of similar caliber to consider serving in government.
When individuals of high moral standing step forward to serve, they not only elevate the standards of governance but also inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Dr. Peter Mbah's foresight in recruiting intelligent people like Hon Ugwuoke is commendable. To continue this trajectory of excellence, it is imperative for him to persist in identifying and bringing on board individuals who exemplify the virtues of integrity, diligence, discipline and loyalty.
In what sounds like a shock to many, news is filtering in that after two years of service, Hon Chika Ugwuoke has sought and secured the governor’s approval to step back from his role as commissioner due to personal circumstances.This is a sad development for the many who would have loved to see him serve the state for longer.
From undisclosed sources, his exit approach which began last year demonstrated huge respect for the governor, and his penchant for orderliness and maturity.This further reflects the personality of this gentle and patient man.
In our clime where politicians never want to leave office, it’s worthy to celebrate this rare gesture by a man that came, delivered value and stepped back for others to come on board.
We wish him good luck as we await the next platform from which he will continue to add value to our dear state.
