ENUGU — Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Friday joined well-meaning Nigerians to celebrate former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, on his 70th birthday, commending him for returning home to impact the nation and describing it as the defining chapter of his life.
Governor Mbah spoke at a colloquium themed “Powering Tomorrow: 70 Years of Engineering the Common Good,” organised by the family and friends of Prof. Nnaji at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
He described the Professor of Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing as a man who believed that knowledge should serve the people, innovation should solve compelling human problems, and success should leave a better future for posterity.
”Professor Nnaji’s life reminds us that the journey is only complete when knowledge returns to serve the community that first nurtured it,” the Governor said.
”Prof. came home. And he returned not because he had to, but because he believed that what he had learned belonged here as well.”
”He founded Geometric Power, becoming a pioneer of indigenous power development in Nigeria. He answered the call to public service in science and technology. He invested not only in infrastructure, but in people.”
”For me, the defining chapter of his journey is not simply that he left. Not simply that he succeeded. But that he returned.”
Governor Mbah said engineering is ultimately an act of service, and its value is measured by the difference it makes to people’s lives.
”A community with reliable electricity, a hospital that never loses power during surgery, a young entrepreneur with the confidence to build a business because the foundations are dependable. That is why the theme of this colloquium is so fitting,” he stated.
”Throughout his career, Professor Nnaji has shown us that knowledge reaches its highest purpose when it is placed in the service of others.”
*Building an Enugu to stay and return to*
The Governor said his administration was committed to building an Enugu State where young people could imagine their future and actualise their potential without necessarily having to leave the country, while also creating a conducive environment for those who travel to come home and impact the state.
”We want to build an Enugu where every young person can imagine a future worthy of their gifts; a place where world-class education, reliable infrastructure, security, innovation, and enterprise come together to create genuine opportunity,” he said.
”Our ambition is simple: that the next generation can acquire world-class skills, pursue world-class careers, and help build a world-class society – without feeling that they must leave home in order to fulfill their potential.”
He said this informed the state government’s heavy investment in education, including equipping every Smart Green School with robotics and AI laboratories, strengthening engineering and digital capabilities, and expanding power infrastructure.
”Whereas Prof. Nnaji had to travel to America, where he made it, our administration has envisioned an Enugu State where youths and children can excel and actualise their potential at home,” Mbah added.
The Governor also commended President Bola Tinubu’s National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, initiative for promoting access to tertiary education.
”Our goal in education perfectly aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which has, through NELFUND, strengthened inclusiveness in education – ensuring that no student is denied access to tertiary education on account of lack of access to funds,” he concluded.
Gov Mbah hails Prof. Bart Nnaji at 70, says “the defining chapter is that he came home
By Nwoko
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