The Enugu State Government has pledged to deliver a memorable and well-organised 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled for December 2026. This assurance was given by the State Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, during a press briefing held in Abeokuta.
Ekweremadu praised the Ogun State Government for its impressive handling of the current edition of the festival, describing it as a benchmark for future events. He affirmed that Enugu was fully prepared to raise the bar even higher, noting that the state had learned valuable lessons from Ogun’s organisation.
The commissioner highlighted the security improvements in Enugu, stating that Governor Peter Mbah had successfully tackled the sit-at-home challenge, making the state one of the safest in Nigeria. “Enugu is very ready, we have been here and we have seen what happened here. I must say that Ogun has done well, we assure you that you can expect a better deal in Enugu,” he said.
He also emphasized the state’s commitment to working closely with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) at both national and state levels to ensure smooth operations for journalists, including adequate accommodation and transport during the festival.
Ekweremadu added that the 2026 sports festival would also offer a cultural and tourism experience for participants and visitors. Attractions such as Awhum Waterfalls, the Nsude Pyramid, Ngwo’s Forest Park, and Okpatu Hills would be part of the package, promising a festival that blends sports with the natural beauty and heritage of Enugu.
In response, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin applauded Enugu State’s determination to host the games and urged that the media be given a prominent role in the planning process, especially in terms of accreditation. He assured the commissioner of SWAN’s full support and collaboration with the Enugu State Government, the National Sports Commission, and other stakeholders to ensure the event’s success.
