There was widespread jubilation on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Isiagu Akpawfu field in Enugu State as residents gathered to witness the distribution of a ₦15 million grant to local farmers and petty traders, aimed at boosting small-scale businesses and livelihoods.
The traditional ruler of Isiagu Akpawfu, Igwe Tony Ikeokoye, expressed deep appreciation to the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, describing the intervention as a rare act of goodwill.
“I’m very happy, highly elated today for this gesture. It’s a gesture, it’s not a right, it’s a gesture,” the monarch said.
He added, “We want to thank in a very special way the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah, for this gesture he has extended to us. We are not surprised because he has done something more than this.”
Igwe Ikeokoye commended the governor’s leadership style, noting a clear departure from past administrations.
“This is the first time we are having a Governor who is executing projects without promising. In the past, there was a promise and then possibly a failure to fulfil it. But this time around, he never came to promise — we started seeing the projects on ground,” he stated.
He urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds effectively to grow their businesses, stressing that more support could follow with proper use.
“Whatever is given to them, more will be given if they utilise it very well. The Governor wants every hand on deck, everybody moving in the direction he is going,” he said.
Also speaking, the coordinator of the grant in the community, Engineer Sunday Nnamani Ibemdiri, described the initiative as unprecedented, noting that the ₦15 million disbursement reflects the government’s commitment to grassroots development.
“What is happening here today in Isiagu village is what I describe as unprecedented. It’s something we’ve not seen in any other communities,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing projects, Ibemdiri added that the grants were part of a broader development push in the area.
“Apart from the ongoing construction of the Akpawfu-Amagunze-Amode road, he has also built a smart school for the community, which is 100 percent completed. A farm estate is ongoing and several other projects are underway,” he noted.
He disclosed that between 700 and 1,000 beneficiaries, mainly farmers and small-scale traders, benefited from the intervention.
“As you can see, we have over 700 to 1,000 people here for this grant. That is who the Governor is — once he makes a promise, it gets fulfilled,” he said.
Ibemdiri also acknowledged the contributions of community leader Chief Chinedu Nwobodo, describing him as a “silent achiever” whose efforts have helped attract development to the community.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, pledging to make judicious use of the funds and support the governor.
Mrs. Obiageli Okenwa, a former women leader of Isienu/Akpawfu ward, said, “The good deeds of the governor have reached us. We are satisfied with this grant and we will reciprocate on the day of his re-election.”
Similarly, Mr. Livinus Nnamani assured that the funds would be put to good use.
“This gesture will be used judiciously. We thank the governor for remembering us like never before in the history of our community,” he said.
The event drew a large crowd of residents, reflecting growing support for the state government’s grassroots development initiatives.
