Desmond Iwuchukwu
The National leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has approved the setting up of a five-man SWAN electoral committee to conduct an election at the expiration of the tenure of the current National Executive Committee (NEC).
Also, SWAN led by Sir Honour Sirawoo has congratulated the newly elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the entire executive board leadership.
This formed part of the communique issued at the end of its 56th Full Council Meeting.
SWAN national electoral committee also known as SWANECO will be headed by a former deputy national president of the association, Sunny Ogele, with the Chairman of the Bayelsa state chapter, Datonye Fred Alambo as the secretary.
The communique endorsed by SWAN Secretary General, Jude Opara, with Isaiah Benjamin, Ikenna Okonkwo, and Emmanuel Nnaji as chairman and respective members of the drafting committee reads; “The Council relying on Section 22 (b) of the SWAN Statute approves a three-month tenure extension for the National Executive Committee (NEC) to enable SWANECO ample time to perfect election processes.
“Council lauds the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare for attracting Alhaji Aliko Dangote to bankroll the regrassing of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, and urges other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of given back to society.
“Council urges members to uphold the tenets of the profession by always holding Sports administrators accountable, as a way of contributing to the development of sports in the country.
“Council congratulates the newly elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusauand other members of the Board; and lauds the immediate past President, Amaju Pinnick for his achievements while assuring of the continuous support of the Association for the Board.
“Council commends Governor Ifeanyi Okowafor his support to the Delta State Chapter of the Association and urges the sustenance of efforts toward ensuring that the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) holds as rescheduled and assures of SWAN readiness to give the championship adequate publicity.
“Council lauds the efforts of the Caretaker Committee of its Lagos State Chapter in repositioning the Association and directs for timeliness in the ongoing electoral process for a new Executive Committee for the Chapter; just as it thumbs up the effort of the FCT Chapter Chairman, Chidoka Ndubueze and his Exco towards getting rid of distractions.
“Council reiterates its position that it has no problem with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), but however, urges the sister organization to stop meddling in the affairs of SWAN.
“Council commends the leadership qualities of its President, Sir Honour Sirawoo for selflessly repositioning the association to an enviable height.”
