Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Excellence Award for his administration’s strategic investments and unwavering commitment to reviving the state’s creative industry.

The award, presented at the Government House, Enugu, by Chioma Ude, Founder and CEO of the Africa Foundation for the Development of Motion Pictures, Arts and Culture (AFDMAC), organisers of the AFRIFF Award, underscores the governor’s visionary efforts to reposition Enugu as a vibrant hub for film, arts, and culture.

Renamed the Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence, the honour celebrates exceptional Nigerians whose contributions continue to shape the nation’s creative landscape. Ude commended Governor Mbah’s bold initiatives, describing them as pivotal to Enugu’s resurgence as the home of Nollywood.

“Your administration has committed to putting in place the necessary infrastructure and a conducive environment to ensure that Nollywood returns to Enugu. This includes building entertainment and sports parks, improving security, and making Enugu film-friendly,” she said.

Ude further praised the governor’s creative-sector-driven policies, noting that they recognise arts and culture as engines for job creation and economic growth. According to her, the multiple initiatives rolled out by the state government are steadily restoring Enugu’s legacy and reaffirming its place in Nigeria’s entertainment ecosystem.

In his response, Governor Mbah expressed gratitude to AFDMAC for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to intensify efforts. He reiterated his administration’s resolve to deepen investments in infrastructure, security, and enabling policies that would further unlock the potential of the creative industry.

“As you are probably aware, we expressed a humongous vision to our people, promising to grow the state’s economy sevenfold. We expect the creative industry to contribute to this projected economic growth,” he said.

Mbah noted that the award serves as a challenge to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and development for the benefit of the creative sector and the state at large.

“This award inspires us to do more and not rest on our laurels. And this is exactly what we will do,” he assured.

With renewed vigour and a clear roadmap, the Enugu State Government is poised to reclaim its historic position as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s creative and film industry.