Hon. Charles Nnaemeka Edeh Rallies Enugu Creatives Behind Governor Mbah’s ‘New Enugu’ Vision

…Stakeholders call for stronger government-creative partnerships.

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Hon. Charles Nnaemeka Edeh, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Youth Development and Mobilisation, has pledged the administration’s commitment to building a vibrant creative economy. He urged content creators, entertainers, and media professionals to become strategic partners in sharing the transformation taking place across Enugu State.

Edeh made the call during the Enugu Creators and Entertainers Interactive Session, hosted by his office at the Universal Hotel in Enugu.

The session, themed Shaping Perception and Showcasing the New Enugu: The Role of the Creative and Entertainment Industry, drew a large gathering of entertainers, digital creators, broadcasters, comedians, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, influencers, DJs, and media practitioners from Enugu State and beyond.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon. Edeani M. Edeani, Enugu State Liaison Officer to the Southeast Development Commission; Emmanuel Okoh (Okwuluora Ndi Igbo); Chief Ulaga; Chisom Edeh (MC Monica); Okafor Ifeanyichukwu (Uncle I.B), President of the Southeast Content Creators Association and CEO of Uncle I.B Solutions; Lady Chidimma Ezeh (Didi), On-Air Personality with Urban Radio; MC Kokoli; Chief Chinedu Omeh of Evergreen Media; and Chief Ebuka Hero. Representatives from ASESCOM, PMAN, the DJs Association of Enugu State, and the Nsukka Association of Content Creators also attended.

Opening the event, Hon. Edeh said the engagement was designed to match Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of positioning Enugu as a leading destination for investment, innovation, tourism, enterprise, and youth-driven economic development. He noted that the creative industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, making it a critical partner in shaping public perception and highlighting the achievements of the current administration.

He pointed to the governor’s extensive investments across the state, including road infrastructure, Smart Green Schools, healthcare reforms, technology-driven security, agriculture, urban renewal, transport modernisation, water infrastructure, energy, and entrepreneurship. He also highlighted major projects like Enugu Air, the Enugu International Conference Centre, and the ongoing Five-Star Hotel Project.

While these initiatives are transforming the socio-economic landscape of Enugu State, Edeh noted they require effective storytelling and strategic communication to gain the global visibility they deserve. Because of this, he challenged creators and entertainers to become ambassadors for the New Enugu, using their platforms to showcase development, attract investment, promote tourism, and inspire confidence in the state’s economic future.

The address received a standing ovation from the audience and was followed by a special saxophone performance by renowned musician Harrison Ibaro.

The event also featured keynote presentations by leading figures in the creative industry.

Speaking on From Enugu, You Can Conquer the World, Chisom Edeh (MC Monica) encouraged young creatives to remain consistent, collaborate, and intentionally support one another in building globally competitive brands. He also advocated for concessionary access to government-owned event facilities for local entertainers.

Lady Chidimma Ezeh (Didi) presented on Opportunities for the Growth of Enugu State’s Creative Industry, praising Governor Mbah’s administration for creating an encouraging environment for the sector. She emphasised collaboration, innovation, and consistency as the primary drivers of success, expressing confidence that Enugu is well positioned to become Nigeria’s leading creative hub within the next five years.

The interactive session, moderated by Uncle I.B, gave stakeholders a direct opportunity to engage with the government on issues affecting the industry and propose practical solutions.

Participants called for stronger collaboration among creative associations, improved access to grants, soft loans, and affordable financing, and official identity cards for registered creative practitioners.

They also requested increased government patronage of Enugu-based entertainers during official programmes, concessionary access to government venues, particularly the Enugu International Conference Centre, and the establishment of film villages, creative hubs, and entertainment academies.
Additionally, attendees advocated for increased investment in the movie industry to promote Enugu’s culture, tourism, and economy. They highlighted the need for sustained urban renewal to create world-class filming locations, public enlightenment campaigns to improve societal perception of content creators, and greater encouragement for educational, value-driven content.

The stakeholders unanimously agreed that the creative industry holds enormous potential to drive tourism, digital storytelling, cultural exports, investment, and youth employment. Recognising the remarkable development under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, they pledged their readiness to partner with the government in sharing the New Enugu narrative globally.

At the close of the session, participants recommended institutionalising periodic engagements between the government and the creative sector. They proposed establishing an Enugu State Creative Industry Council, introducing an official registration and identification framework for practitioners, and creating a Creative Industry Support Scheme to provide grants, financing, and capacity-building opportunities. They also urged for increased collaboration between the government and local creatives during official programmes, festivals, and tourism events.

The engagement ended on a high note, with stakeholders expressing strong confidence in the Mbah administration’s commitment to youth development and the creative economy. Attendees described the forum as a significant step toward building a structured, enduring partnership to advance the vision of a prosperous, innovative, and globally competitive New Enugu.