The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has been honoured with the Man of the Year Award 2025 by The Sun Newspapers, in recognition of what the organisers described as his bold, innovative and results-driven leadership style.

The prestigious award was presented at the 2025 edition of the Sun Awards, held over the weekend in Lagos, drawing eminent personalities from politics, business and the media.

In its citation, The Sun Newspapers said Governor Mbah distinguished himself by breaking barriers and driving what it termed “unimaginable transformation” across key sectors of Enugu State through disruptive innovation and inclusive governance.

Speaking while rendering the citation, the Chairman/Publisher of Sun Publishing Limited, Neya Kalu, noted that despite Nigeria navigating challenging times, progress and excellence must continue to be celebrated.

Congratulating Governor Mbah and other recipients, she described the 2025 awards as unique, stressing that the ceremony was not only a celebration of excellence but a reminder that “even in complex seasons, greatness still rises.”

Presenting the award, the Founder and former Chairman/Publisher of Sun Publishing Limited, Orji Uzo Kalu, praised Mbah for redefining governance in Enugu State.

“He is a governor who is tilling the ground. That is the best way to describe him. He is building a new Enugu State and delivering results across all sectors,” Kalu said, adding that The Sun remains apolitical because it was conceived as a public trust owned by the Nigerian people.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Mbah dedicated the award to his team, insisting that leadership success is a collective effort.

“One is nothing without a team. 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 said.

He commended The Sun Newspapers for upholding credible journalism, noting that the award affirmed that leadership is still measured by performance, not applause.

“Our work is not done. We will not slow down. This award will rather challenge us to do more. We will remain committed to raising the bar of governance, deepening reforms and delivering the future that Ndi Enugu truly deserve,” the governor vowed.

Also speaking, Chairman of the event and Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, said Mbah’s emergence as Man of the Year further reinforced the credibility of the Sun Awards.

“No Nigerian will dispute that Governor Mbah has taken governance to great heights within a very short time. Who will fault him as Man of the Year? Nobody. He truly merits this honour,” Onyema stated.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Managing Director of Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, described the awardees as “Uncommon Achievers” who chose courage over conformity, took risks, confronted challenges and emerged victorious.

According to him, their stories represent the power of determination, resilience and the refusal to be limited by the constraints of a developing country.