Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Thursday unveiled the reconstructed Hotel Presidential, a 62-year-old edifice originally established under the of the former premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.
Speaking at the ceremony in Enugu, Mbah described the revival of the historic hotel as “a homecoming for history,” noting that the facility, once a pride of the region, had been abandoned and left to decay for about 15 years. He said the project was in line with his administration’s campaign promise to revive moribund state assets and boost Enugu’s economy sevenfold.
“Sixty-two years ago, our forebears under the visionary leadership of Dr. Michael Okpara built this landmark as a symbol of Eastern Region’s resilience, elegance and enterprise. Over the decades, time and neglect dimmed that light. For about 15 years, this glorious edifice stood as an affront to our pride. We came into office with a pledge to recover what belongs to our people, convert dormant assets into productive assets, and turn liabilities into engines of growth. That is why this unveiling is more than opening the doors of a hotel; it is the reopening of Enugu’s confidence,” he said.
Mbah stressed that the reconstructed hotel was designed to meet global standards, adding that Enugu’s hospitality infrastructure must reflect the state’s seriousness in attracting investors. He highlighted other projects driving the state’s hospitality sector, including the 5,000-seat International Conference Centre (ICC), the ongoing construction of a 345-room five-star ICC Hotel, the launch of Enugu Air, and now the renewed Hotel Presidential.
“These assets are crucial to our goal of welcoming up to three million annual tourist visits and making Enugu the Conferencing Capital of Africa,” he added.
The governor emphasized the hotel’s economic importance, noting that it would create hundreds of direct jobs in hospitality, engineering, landscaping, and events management, while also supporting suppliers and transport services such as taxis and CNG buses. He said the project sends a strong signal to investors that Enugu is serious about asset recovery, business growth, and private sector partnerships.
He commended the concessionaire, Amber Hospitality, for investing in the project, citing their track record of managing about 12 hospitality brands globally. He also praised the contractors, Dilworth, for their attention to detail, as well as past and present Commissioners of Works and Infrastructure and those of Culture and Tourism for their roles in the project’s success.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, hailed the unveiling as a symbolic rebirth for Enugu, declaring: “The silence has been broken; the lights are on — never to dim again; the doors are open — never to shut again; and the spirit of Enugu is back, stronger and brighter than ever.”
Former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Sunday Onyebuchi, lauded Mbah’s speed in reviving dead assets, saying, “Your mantra says tomorrow is here, but you have resurrected yesterday today.”
Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, applauded the governor’s string of projects — including the launch of Enugu Air, commissioning of five ultramodern transport terminals and 100 CNG buses, and now the reconstructed Hotel Presidential — all within one month. He assured Mbah of traditional rulers’ support, declaring that “there is no vacancy in Lion Building in 2027.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, commended Mbah’s transformative leadership and pledged continued support from the people.
