Mbah Celebrates Bart Nnaji's 70th Birthday and His Return to Nigeria

Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, on Friday celebrated former Minister of Power, Bart Nnaji, as he turned 70. Mbah praised the Professor of Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing for coming back to Nigeria to make a difference.

Mbah noted that Nnaji's return marked a significant chapter in his life.

He also mentioned that his administration is focused on creating an Enugu State where young people can dream big and achieve their goals without needing to leave the country.

The governor spoke at the International Conference Centre in Enugu during a special event to celebrate Nnaji's milestone birthday. The event was themed "Powering Tomorrow: 70 Years of Engineering the Common Good."

While addressing the audience, Mbah said, "Professor Nnaji’s life reminds us that the journey is only complete when knowledge returns to serve the community that first nurtured it."

"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."

Mbah added, "For me, the defining chapter of his journey is not simply that he left. Not simply that he succeeded. But that he returned."

He continued, "His life also reminds us that engineering is ultimately an act of service. 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."

"Throughout his career, Professor Nnaji has shown us that knowledge reaches its highest purpose when it is placed in the service of others," he stated.

Mbah also expressed his vision for Enugu, saying, "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 pointed out that while Prof. Nnaji traveled to America to succeed, his administration dreams of an Enugu State where youths and children can thrive and realize their potential.

"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."

Mbah explained, "That is why we are investing so heavily in education, equipping every Smart Green School with robotics and AI laboratories, strengthening our engineering and digital capabilities, expanding power infrastructure, and preparing our children for the demands of the 21st century."

He added that his government is also focused on making Enugu a welcoming place for those who travel the world, while also becoming a destination for others.

Highlighting the importance of quality education for everyone, Governor Mbah praised President Bola Tinubu’s National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative for improving access to higher 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," the governor concluded.