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.

By David Torough, Abuja

Residents of Akpodo Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday, August 30, 2026, witnessed a major healthcare intervention as Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ichakwu Amejo (Ugbokolo), brought free medical services to their doorstep.

More than 250 residents of Akpodo and neighbouring communities benefited from free medical screening, diagnostic testing, consultations and treatment during the community medical outreach organised by the hospital.

The exercise, which attracted a large turnout from the community, offered a much-needed intervention to residents who often face the challenges of limited access to healthcare facilities, long distances and the increasing cost of medical treatment.

From the early hours of the programme, residents began arriving at the venue in large numbers. The turnout highlighted both the healthcare needs of the rural population and the importance of bringing essential medical services closer to underserved communities.

For many beneficiaries, the outreach provided an opportunity to receive medical attention that might otherwise have been postponed because of financial limitations or difficulties accessing healthcare facilities.

‘Healthcare Should Reach the People’ — Dr Ogbodo
Speaking during the exercise, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Dr Mark A. C. Ogbodo, said the initiative was founded on the belief that poverty or geographical location should never prevent anyone from accessing basic healthcare.

Dr Ogbodo, who also serves as the Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Benue State Branch, explained that the outreach was designed particularly to reach rural populations where access to comprehensive and sophisticated healthcare services remains limited.

“Our aim is to reach out to the less privileged, especially those in rural communities, and save lives. Healthcare should not be determined by where a person lives or by his or her ability to pay.”

According to him, the objective of the programme went beyond treating people who were already ill. It was also designed to promote preventive healthcare, encourage early detection of diseases, provide health education and ensure prompt referral for patients who require further investigations or specialised treatment.

He noted that community-based medical outreaches provide healthcare professionals with an opportunity to identify conditions that could otherwise remain undiagnosed until they become more serious or complicated.

More Than 250 People Screened and Treated
By the end of the outreach, more than 250 residents had been screened, tested, consulted and treated free of charge.

The medical team attended to beneficiaries and provided appropriate treatment, while patients requiring additional investigations or specialised care were referred to nearby healthcare facilities for further management and follow-up.

The organisers said the referral component was a critical part of the intervention because the goal was not merely to offer temporary relief, but also to connect patients with conditions requiring continued care to appropriate healthcare providers.

Medical Outreach Meets Humanitarian Intervention
The medical intervention received further support through a collaboration between Lydia Memorial Hospital and the Veronica Linda Moro Memorial Foundation, which complemented the healthcare programme with humanitarian assistance.

The Foundation donated and distributed foodstuffs and other essential relief items to residents, particularly vulnerable members of the community, in response to the economic difficulties confronting many families.

The additional intervention broadened the scope of the programme, making it not only a medical outreach but also a humanitarian initiative aimed at addressing some of the immediate socioeconomic challenges facing residents.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing the combination of free healthcare and relief materials as timely and valuable.

HIV Testing Takes Centre Stage
The AIDS Health Foundation also contributed to the success of the programme by providing materials for HIV testing and screening.

Residents were given the opportunity to voluntarily ascertain their HIV status, while the exercise also provided an avenue for counselling and education on HIV prevention, treatment and care.

The organisers emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and timely access to treatment in controlling HIV, while also calling for sustained community awareness and greater efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with people living with HIV/AIDS.

Community Leader Applauds Initiative
The Chief of Akpodo Community, His Royal Highness, Chief Mark Onah, expressed his appreciation to Lydia Memorial Hospital and the Veronica Linda Moro Memorial Foundation for selecting the community for the intervention.

Chief Onah described the outreach as a significant and welcome gesture, particularly at a time when many families are struggling with economic hardship and the rising cost of healthcare.

He commended the medical team and collaborating organisations for bringing healthcare directly to the people and encouraged residents to place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare and regular medical checks.

A Message Beyond Medicine
The Akpodo outreach has once again highlighted a major challenge confronting rural communities across Nigeria: access to healthcare is just as important as the availability of healthcare services.

Although hospitals, health professionals and medical facilities may exist, factors such as distance, cost and inadequate infrastructure can prevent vulnerable populations from benefiting from available services.

By taking healthcare directly into the community, Lydia Memorial Hospital demonstrated how medical outreach can extend beyond the walls of a hospital to become an instrument of community development, humanitarian support and life-saving intervention.

For Dr Ogbodo and his team, however, the success of the exercise cannot be measured by numbers alone.

It is reflected in the elderly resident who received medical attention that might otherwise have been unaffordable; the mother who was able to have herself and her children screened; the individual whose health condition was detected early; and the patient who was identified and referred for further care before a potentially serious condition could become life-threatening.

‘Saving Lives Is the Priority’
The Akpodo outreach reinforces Lydia Memorial Hospital’s commitment to extending quality healthcare beyond its facility in Ichakwu Amejo (Ugbokolo) and reaching communities where the need is greatest.

It also demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when healthcare institutions, humanitarian organisations and public-health partners unite around a shared commitment to improving lives.

As the outreach drew to a close, more than 250 residents had received free medical attention, numerous community members had accessed HIV screening and health education, and vulnerable families had received food and other relief materials.

For the people of Akpodo Community, the message from the intervention was clear:
Healthcare is not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. It is a service that must reach the people — wherever they live.
And on August 30, 2026, Lydia Memorial Hospital took that service to Akpodo.