Gov Mbah Approves LOC For 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the composition of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu.

The Committee, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr, is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in sports administration, event management, and youth development.

The approved LOC members had been carefully selected for their competence, dedication, and exceptional contributions to the sporting sector.

A statement by Dan Onwuegbuna

Director, Information

Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports, made available to Daily News Nigeria on Monday, ststed, “Their collective expertise will ensure the successful planning and execution of a world-class National Sports Festival that will not only showcase Enugu as a leading sports hub but also establish new standards of excellence for the event.”

Parts of the statement read:

“The committee comprises the following esteemed members:

Bamiduro Olumide – A respected sports management expert and former national badminton champion, serving as Secretary General. Mary Onyali – Former world-class athlete with extensive international sporting experience.

“Others are: Aku Akazu – Accomplished lawyer with specialization in sports management. Victor Okorie – Elite athlete representative and member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – COO of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and a FIFA-licensed agent. Davidson Owumi – Highly experienced sports administrator, current COO of the Nigeria Professional Football League and former General Manager of Enugu Rangers Football Club

Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu State Football Association.

Henry Chinedu Okorie – Executive Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Nigerian Athletics Athletes Commission.

Jonathan Nnaji – President of Nigeria’s Modern Pentathlon Federation, Vice President of the Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation and Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

“Also in the Committee are:

Boniface Onovo – Director of Organizing, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“The Enugu State Government expresses its full confidence in this esteemed team and their ability to organize and deliver an outstanding National Sports Festival. Their leadership will play a crucial role in fostering athletic excellence, promoting national unity, and driving economic development through sports.

Speaking on the approval, the State Sports Commissioner, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr. reaffirmed the state’s commitment to hosting a festival of international standards.

“This committee is made up of some of the most capable and experienced individuals in the sports industry. With their expertise and our government’s unwavering support, Enugu 2026 will be an extraordinary event that leaves a lasting legacy.

“Preparations are already in motion, and further updates will be provided as the LOC begins its work in earnest.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.