The newly built Enugu International Conference Center officially came alive on Monday, April 28, with the 14th edition of the Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance.
The event brought together a host of prominent Nigerians—including scholars, political leaders, and civil society advocates—who gathered to confront Nigeria’s mounting governance challenges and propose solutions.
Held under the theme “Imperative of Good Governance in Nigeria,” the conference set the tone for an in-depth discussion on reform, with keynote speaker Professor Ibrahim Gambari presenting a comprehensive roadmap for national transformation.
In his address, Professor Gambari called for “a new constitution, restructuring, and decentralisation of governmental powers.” He advocated a system of leadership recruitment driven by “credibility and elite consensus.”
Gambari, who was a former Foreign Affairs Minister also noted the importance of redefining the state’s role as a provider of security and ensuring equal rights for citizens regardless of their state of origin or residence.
He stressed the need to “manage political parties more effectively” and fix “structural weaknesses in national institutions.”
Praise for Enugu’s Progress
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in his remarks, commended Governor Peter Mbah for transforming Enugu State. He described the progress as “quiet but laudable,” noting that Enugu is emerging as a significant industrial, educational, and agricultural hub.
Also speaking after the event, Valentine Ozigbo—former Transcorp CEO and a gubernatorial hopeful in Anambra State—expressed the urgency of revisiting Nigeria’s foundational structure.
Today, the Elder statesman, distinguished diplomat and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, GCVO, CFR, was in Enugu where he toured some critical infrastructure executed the adm of Gov @PNMbah. He was held spellbound by the magnificent projects. pic.twitter.com/UIjFMBR3l3
— Prince Ejeh Josh (@prinnccejosh) April 28, 2025
“It was a profoundly important engagement — to gather some of our most respected elders and leaders, individuals with unimpeachable credentials and deep reservoirs of experience, to reflect on the urgent governance challenges before us,” Ozigbo told reporters.
He continued, “At the heart of it all is one truth: without fixing our foundation, we cannot hope to achieve the kind of governance Nigeria needs and deserves. A weak foundation cannot sustain a strong nation.”
Ozigbo warned that the current pockets of good governance seen in Nigeria are “fleeting snapshots — accidental, not systemic.” He stressed, “Without a deliberate, structural redesign, they cannot endure.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, he said, “We once experienced better governance when Nigeria was decentralised. Until Nigerians awaken to this consciousness and demand real structural reform, we will continue to recycle failure.”
“Nothing earthshaking and enduring will happen until we say — collectively and resolutely — enough is enough,” he concluded.
Call for Bold Reform
Throughout the lecture series, participants reiterated that Nigeria’s political and governance shortcomings stem largely from deep-seated structural flaws and insufficient nation-building.
Speakers urged bold and intentional reform to address these issues and steer Nigeria toward lasting unity and prosperity.
The event, hosted by Governor Peter Mbah, attracted an impressive array of national figures, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku; General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.); Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi; Engineer Chris Okoye; Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State; Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly; Hon. Chijioke Edeoga; Ben Etiaba; and others.
The 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series closed with a shared resolve to move from diagnosis to action—matching insight with execution.
Attendees lauded the intellectual depth of the discussions and echoed the need for lasting reform.
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