In a personal Christmas message released to the public, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has called upon Christian faithful and all Nigerians to embrace the fundamental virtues embodied by the season: peace, love, tolerance, and sacrifice. His statement, coming during a period of global and local challenges, frames these values not merely as seasonal sentiments but as essential pillars for societal cohesion and national renewal.
Governor Mbah’s message, disseminated from Enugu on Thursday, December 25, 2025, explicitly links the celebration of Christ’s birth to actionable civic virtues. “Christmas reminds us of the enduring values of love, peace, sacrifice, and hope,” the Governor stated. He further expressed a desire for the season to act as a unifying force, saying, “May the Holy Season further unite us, and may the coming year strengthen our resolve to build the future our children deserve.”
While calls for peace and love are common during festive periods, Governor Mbah’s specific inclusion of tolerance and sacrifice adds a layer of profound relevance for contemporary Nigeria. Tolerance moves beyond passive coexistence to active acceptance in a diverse society, while sacrifice speaks to the shared responsibility required for national progress. These concepts challenge citizens to move from celebration to concrete, year-round action.
The Governor’s appeal for renewed hope in the nation resonates deeply. In a socio-economic context where optimism can be strained, anchoring hope in collective action and shared values provides a tangible foundation. It reframes hope not as a passive wish, but as a commitment to contributing to a better, more unified community and country.
Ultimately, Governor Peter Mbah’s Christmas message transcends routine holiday goodwill. It serves as a timely reminder that the core values of Christmas—peace born of understanding, love expressed in compassion, tolerance practiced in daily interactions, and sacrifice made for the common good—are the very tools required to forge a more harmonious and prosperous future for Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole. He concluded by wishing all citizens a safe and joyful celebration.
Reported by Alex Enebeli for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Sandra Umeh.
