By Charles Igwe
On Monday, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, inaugurated four newly constructed and reconstructed roads in the Abakpa Nike area of Enugu metropolis. Among these was the popular Obinagu Road, which has now been renamed Mike Ejeagha Road in honor of the renowned music legend who resides there. The road and the adjoining Mike Ejeagha Crescent, where the artist lives, were part of the infrastructure upgrades commissioned by the governor.
Other roads unveiled during the ceremony included the Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road and Nkpor Street.
During the event, Governor Mbah visited Mike Ejeagha at his residence and announced that the state government would take full responsibility for the legendary musician’s upkeep, recognizing him as a living icon.
“Remember, when you gave us your mandate, we pledged to uphold our part of the social contract,” Mbah said. “We promised that all urban roads in Enugu would be paved, and today, we are fulfilling that promise.”
He noted that the newly commissioned roads were not part of the initial 71 urban roads that had been completed last year. These additional roads were identified as critical and treated as an emergency, leading to their swift construction.
Governor Mbah emphasized the significance of naming the road after Mike Ejeagha, stating, “Enugu State is home to many legends, not just in sports but also in music. Mike Ejeagha, through his folk songs, has kept our cultural heritage alive, reminding us of our golden past. Renaming Obinagu Road in his honor is our way of celebrating his contributions to our culture while he is still with us.”
The governor also assured residents that these projects marked the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State. He announced that contracts had been awarded for the construction of 141 additional roads and 20 rural roads, with work soon to commence, including the dualization of Penocks Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha Road up to Opi-Nsukka.
“We are committed to serving you with every fiber of our being,” Mbah concluded.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation assured that the roads were built with durability and user convenience in mind.
Mike Ejeagha, through his children Emma Ejeagha and Elizabeth Ugwu (née Ejeagha), expressed his deep gratitude to the governor, noting that Mbah’s actions had honored him beyond his lifetime.
“Previous governments made promises, but nothing happened. Mbah made no promises, yet we woke up to heavy machinery and new roads. It’s like a dream come true,” said Emma Ejeagha.
Residents of the area, who turned out in large numbers, praised the governor for the infrastructure improvements, highlighting the positive impact on their businesses and daily lives. Governor Mbah even joined in the celebration by performing the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance, much to the delight of the crowd.
