By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Federal Government, officially handed over 188 housing units to the Taraba State Government in Jalingo, as part of its renewed commitment to providing access, increasing affordability and bridging the housing deficit in the country.

The houses were built under the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme (NHP), initiatives in all the states of the federation.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Rabe Darma, PhD performed the hand-over of the houses to the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas at a colourful ceremony held at the Government House in Jalingo.

Minister Darma described housing as a basic human need and said the project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to closing Nigeria’s housing gap.

“Housing is one of the most essential needs of any human being,” Darma said. “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is building these houses across the country. They must be functional, and they must be occupied.”

Darma said the fastest way to get the houses to Nigerians is for state governments to acquire them and allocate them to citizens, including civil servants, members of the security forces, and the general public.

“Taraba State has taken this giant step under the National Housing Programme,” he said. “By acquiring the units directly, the state can now allocate them quickly and ensure that working families benefit without delay.”

The 188 units are part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, an initiative aimed at providing affordable and decent housing and reducing the country’s housing deficit. The programme also seeks to stimulate job creation through construction and support the development of sustainable communities.

In his remarks, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, thanked the Federal Government for the intervention and credited the Ministry for driving the process.

“We appreciate the proactive leadership of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development,” the Governor said. “This handover is clear testimony of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to providing affordable housing for all Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Governor added that the state government will put in place a transparent allocation process to ensure that the homes reach those who need them most.

With the Taraba handover completed, the Ministry said it expects more states to join the acquisition model as part of efforts to move houses from government inventory to citizens faster.

The Renewed Hope Housing Agenda includes the delivery of Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in all states of the federation, with a focus on affordability, quality, and access.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for housing policy, the National Housing Programme, and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda nationwide.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the National Sports Commission (NSC), have unveiled the official mascot for the 2026 National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City Games,” assuring that the state would deliver a competition that meets international standards.

The mascot, named “Odum Eze, Lion King,” was unveiled by Mbah at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, at the weekend.

Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, said the choice of the lion was deliberate, noting that it represented Enugu State’s seat of power, while also symbolising strength, courage, leadership, and discipline.

According to him, the same qualities would also be expected of participating athletes in the games, which will hold from November 27 to December 11, 2026.

“We expect a sports festival that will be defined by integrity. We expect a sports festival that will depict Nigerian strength, courage, and utmost discipline.

“We expect a sports festival that the media will write, after we have concluded, that we met world standards and surpassed all expectations,” he said.

He, however, lamented that Nigeria, which once enjoyed a strong reputation in international sports, had lost ground and needed to return to a system that nurtured talents from the grassroots.

The Governor, therefore, called on the NSC to pay greater attention to school sports as part of efforts to revive sports development and discover young talents across the country.

The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olapade, expressed excitement at Enugu’s hosting rights and preparations, as the state would become the second South-East state to host the National Sports Festival since Imo State hosted the event in 1998.

Olapade, who described Enugu as his home state, said the hosting rights represented a significant development for the region and the state, noting that the festival had historically rotated largely between the South-West and South-South regions before Enugu emerged as the next host in the South-East.

The NSC boss said an inspection of facilities in the state showed that Enugu was well prepared for the games, describing Enugu State’s security and the development of infrastructure as top-notch.

“After the inspection yesterday, we came to the conclusion that Enugu is ready to take the National Sports Festival to unprecedented heights. We are very much impressed with what is going on in Enugu,” he stated.

He, however, disclosed that some facilities, including the swimming pool and indoor sports hall, still required finishing touches, expressing confidence that they would be completed before the festival begins in November.

Olapade announced that the Federal Government had also decided to support host states with sports infrastructure, rather than leave the responsibility entirely to state governments.

He expressed optimism that the Coal City Games would set a new record for the National Sports Festival, describing it as the most highly sponsored edition in the history of the competition.

“This is going to be the biggest and highest-sponsored sports festival in the history of Nigeria,” he declared.

Speaking to newsmen, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, reiterated Dr. Peter Mbah’s determination to not only deliver a record-breaking festival in terms of facilities and organisation, but also to position Enugu State as the sports capital of Africa.

“If you look at the rate and magnitude of work going on at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, the Games Village at Awgu, and the infrastructure generally in the state, you would agree that Enugu State is preparing to host to win and to set new records in organisation and infrastructure,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the official sponsor of the 2026 NSF, Premium Trust Bank, has reiterated its commitment to the Coal City Games and sports development in the country.

Represented by the Chief Business Officer, South-South, of Premium Trust Bank, Aniebet Offiong, the bank said it was excited to partner with Enugu State and the NSC to deliver a memorable NSF come November and December.

Also at the mascot-unveiling event were the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel; President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Sunday Odebode; and the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, among a host of others.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has called for increased and permanent security presence at places of worship across the state, particularly during Friday Jumu’at prayers and Sunday church services.

The call followed the abduction of an unspecified number of Muslim worshippers from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana communities in Borgu Local Government Area during Jumu’at prayers at the weekend.

Chairman of CAN in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev.

Bishop Yohanna said the security situation in the Borgu Emirate, comprising Borgu and Agwara local government areas, required urgent and sustained intervention to protect residents, particularly those living in vulnerable rural communities.

He said: “The whole of Borgu Emirate, which includes Agwara and Borgu LGAs, needs strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted.”

The CAN chairman strongly condemned the abduction of the Muslim worshippers, describing the incident as an attack not only on the victims but also on the sanctity of places of worship and the wider community.

“For us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community,” he said.

He expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, saying Christians in the state shared in the grief and anguish of the affected Muslim communities.

“As a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities,” he said.

The Bishop disclosed that churches across Niger State had intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshippers.

According to him, CAN had specifically encouraged churches and Christian faithful to dedicate their Sunday services to prayers for the immediate and safe release of the victims, as well as divine intervention in the fight against insecurity.

“Millions of Christians and all the churches across the state have intensified prayers for the safe return of the abducted worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area,” he said.

He added: “As a Body, we have set aside today (Sunday) to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across Niger State to use this Sunday service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help our security agencies.”

Bishop Yohanna expressed confidence that the prayers would yield positive results, saying: “We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”

He also commended the Federal and Niger State Governments, as well as the security agencies, for their efforts so far in responding to the security challenge and working towards the recovery of the abducted worshippers.

The CAN chairman, however, stressed the need for sustained security operations and greater protection for vulnerable communities, particularly worshippers who gather in large numbers at designated places of worship.