Governor Peter Mbah Wins Sun Newspaper Man of the Year Award, Pledges to Raise Governance Standards
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has been honoured with The Sun Newspapers’ Man of the Year Award 2025, a recognition that places him among Nigeria’s most prominent public office holders acknowledged for leadership and public service in the past year. The award was presented at the 2025 edition of the Sun Awards, held over the weekend in Lagos and attended by political leaders, business executives, and media stakeholders from across the country.
According to The Sun Newspapers, Governor Mbah emerged as a standout recipient due to what the organisation described as his bold approach to governance and the pace of reforms recorded under his administration. In its citation, the newspaper stated that Mbah had “broken barriers and effected unimaginable transformation in virtually every sector” through policies anchored on disruptive innovation and inclusive governance.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman and Publisher of Sun Publishing Limited, Barrister Neya Kalu, acknowledged the challenges facing Nigeria while stressing the importance of recognising leadership efforts even in difficult times. She noted that the Sun Awards 2025 was not only a celebration of excellence but also a reminder that progress and innovation remain possible despite economic and social pressures.
“While Nigeria is navigating a demanding era, we must not lose sight of the progress woven into our journey,” she said, adding that moments such as the awards ceremony help reaffirm confidence in leadership and national potential.
The award was formally presented by the Founder and former Chairman of Sun Publishing Limited, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, who described Governor Mbah as a leader focused on laying a solid foundation for Enugu State’s future. Using an agricultural metaphor, Kalu said the governor was “tilling the ground,” emphasizing that his administration appeared to be prioritising groundwork and long-term structural development across sectors.
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Senator Kalu also reiterated The Sun’s claim of neutrality, stating that the newspaper was conceived as a public trust and remains apolitical in both its editorial decisions and awards process.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Mbah dedicated the award to members of his administration and the wider Enugu workforce, describing leadership as a collective effort rather than an individual achievement. He expressed appreciation for the recognition but stressed that his administration was far from completing its agenda.
“One is nothing without a team,” Mbah said. “I receive this award on behalf of my team, whose commitment, selfless work ethic, and dedication have continued to translate our bold ideas into visible progress.”
He added that the award would serve as motivation rather than a signal to slow down, pledging to deepen reforms and sustain the pace of governance in the state.
“Our work is not done. This award will rather challenge us to continue to do more. We will remain committed to raising the bar of governance and delivering the future that Ndi Enugu truly deserve,” he stated.
Chairman of the event, Dr. Allen Onyema, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, described Governor Mbah’s selection as further evidence of the credibility of the Sun Awards. Onyema argued that the governor’s emergence as Man of the Year would be difficult to dispute, citing what he described as visible governance strides achieved within a relatively short period.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, referred to the award recipients as “Uncommon Achievers,” noting that they had chosen to confront challenges and pursue excellence in an environment often constrained by systemic limitations.
As with many high-profile political awards, reactions to Governor Mbah’s recognition have been mixed. While supporters have praised the governor’s urgency and reform-oriented posture, critics have questioned the scope and depth of the achievements cited by the awarding body, reflecting Nigeria’s broader culture of public debate around political performance and accountability.
Nonetheless, the award places Governor Mbah firmly in the national spotlight and adds to the growing scrutiny of his administration’s policies, implementation outcomes, and long-term impact on Enugu State as his tenure continues.