For my family and me, Christmas 2025 was more than a festive season. It was a homecoming to hope. We spent 12 full days with kith and kin in our community, Agwa, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. It was the first time in about three years that we could return home for the yuletide without fear, following the wave of politically orchestrated insecurity that once ravaged several communities across the state, including ours.
Those were dark and painful times. Agwa, like many other communities, was deserted. An unconfirmed number of people were killed, among them a revered traditional ruler, HRH Eze Ignatius Asor, my own cousin, Amuzienwa Duruji, and many dear friends. Families were scattered, farmlands abandoned, markets shut, and social life completely frozen. Christmas, which used to be a season of reunion and joy, became a period of anxiety and silent prayers for survival.
But Christmas 2025 told a different story. This time, we met bustling villages, reopened shops, busy markets and, most importantly, people moving about freely, day and night, without fear. Celebrations returned. Villagers gathered, youths played football, women traded late into the evening, and families visited one another as they used to. For the first time in years, nightlife was visible again, modest but vibrant, reflecting a community rediscovering confidence and normalcy.
The return of peace did not happen by accident. It is the outcome of sustained security interventions and strategic governance under Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose administration has made the restoration of peace and order a top priority. Through strengthened collaboration with security agencies, community-based intelligence and firm political will, the state has gradually reclaimed areas that were once under siege.
Unlike before, security presence was visible and reassuring. Led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agwa Police Division, Mr. John Philip, police and vigilante officers manned all major arteries, particularly the Ejemekwuru–Agwa Road and the Ogbaku–Agwa Road. Combined with effective patrols across the 10 communities and several villages, this security arrangement ensured a peaceful yuletide. Families celebrated freely and enjoyed themselves without anxiety.
Personally, the season was deeply emotional for me. I celebrated with kith and kin, especially with the women, among whom I shared 130 pieces of wrappers, bags of rice, and paid school fees as well as WAEC and NECO examination fees. As they sang and danced in appreciation, it reminded me of how much our people have endured and how grateful they are for peace. We also visited families affected by the insecurity, including my aunt, the woman who raised me. Seeing her again after three years, aging gracefully, was one of the most touching moments of the visit.
Beyond security, the government also understands that peace must be supported by development. In many rural and urban communities, including parts of Oguta, road construction and rehabilitation have opened up access to markets and social services. Roads that were once impassable, especially during the rainy season, are now motorable, reducing travel time and boosting local commerce.
In Agwa and neighbouring communities, economic activities are visibly on the rise. The Ogbo Afor Market, once the epicentre of insecurity, is back to life, attracting traders from far and near. Farmers are returning to their fields, traders are restocking their shops, and transporters are doing steady business. During our stay, it was evident that cash was circulating again. Local restaurants, palm-wine joints and small businesses recorded increased patronage, driven largely by returning indigenes and improved confidence in public safety. Even our local fish delicacy, oghele, enjoyed brisk sales, putting smiles on the faces of local vendors.
Governor Uzodimma’s development agenda, which emphasises both urban renewal and rural integration, is reflected in everyday life. While major cities like Owerri have witnessed extensive road networks, flyovers and beautification projects, rural communities are also benefiting from feeder roads, healthcare upgrades, school rehabilitation and electrification efforts. These interventions help reduce the rural-urban divide and ensure that development is not concentrated only in city centres.
What struck me most during this Christmas visit was the psychological shift among the people. Fear, which once defined daily existence, has given way to optimism. Conversations were no longer dominated by stories of attacks and disappearances, but by discussions about farming plans, business opportunities, weddings and community projects. The social fabric that insecurity had torn apart is being stitched back together. This renewed confidence aligns with Governor Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity Vision, which focuses on creating an enabling environment where peace, infrastructure and economic opportunity reinforce one another. The idea is simple but powerful: when people are safe, they invest; when infrastructure improves, businesses grow; and when the economy grows, prosperity spreads across communities.
My 2025 Christmas experience was therefore not just personal; it was symbolic of a broader recovery across Imo State. It reflected a state moving from fear to freedom, from stagnation to activity, and from despair to determination. Of course, full recovery takes time, and sustained vigilance is necessary to ensure that criminal elements do not regain lost ground. But what we witnessed during those 12 days in Agwa and surrounding communities was proof that deliberate governance, backed by firm security action and inclusive development, can reverse even the most troubling situations.
As I left Agwa after the holidays, I did so with a sense of gratitude and hope; gratitude for the peace that made our visit possible, and hope that the gains recorded so far will not only be sustained but expanded. For families like mine, the return of Christmas at home is not a small thing. It is a sign that life is returning, dignity is being restored, and the future can once again be planned without fear.
Christmas 2025 will remain unforgettable for me, not because of lavish festivities, but because it marked a return to normal life, a reunion with home, and a powerful reminder that peace, when restored, is the greatest gift any government can give its people.
Thank you, Governor Hope Uzodimma, for the gift of peace.
