The Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation (HIAF) has announced Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, as the winner of its inaugural 2025 Best South-East Governor of the Year Award. The decision follows an extensive evaluation of governance across the five states of the region by a specialized selection committee.
The selection process was overseen by a seven-member panel led by Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma. The committee cited Governor Mbah’s performance in critical sectors—including education, healthcare, rural and urban infrastructure, and security—as the primary basis for the recognition.
Nze Sam Nwanze, CEO of the foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the Igbo Book of Records, highlighted the Governor’s “Tomorrow is Here” development agenda. He specifically lauded the administration’s focus on the education sector, noted for its record-high budgetary allocations and the ongoing construction of 260 Smart Green Schools across the state’s electoral wards.
In an official acknowledgement, Governor Mbah described the award as a prestigious recognition of his administration’s collective effort. “This honour goes beyond me as an individual; it belongs to my entire team working tirelessly to reposition our state for sustainable growth and development,” the Governor stated.
The conferment ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the International Conference Centre in Enugu. The event will also feature the “Great Igbo Achievers With Integrity and Excellence Awards,” recognizing 21 other distinguished individuals, including the Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu, and Professor Ume Okafor.
The Hall of Igbo Achievers Foundation serves as a platform to promote Igbo cultural heritage and celebrate excellence among the Igbo people globally. The upcoming ceremony will also include the public presentation of the second edition of the Igbo Book of Records and the Igbo Digest Newspaper.
