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Tag: SWAN

  • SWAN felicitates with Pankyes as SA media to Plateau Governor

    SWAN felicitates with Pankyes as SA media to Plateau Governor

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, have fecilitated with former Welfare Secretary of in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Mrs. Dorcas Pankyes, over her recent appointment as Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.

    SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement on Monday through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, described the appointment as well-deserved.

    Benjamin said, “On behalf of Sports Writers in Nigeria, I sincerely congratulate Mrs Dorcas for her deserved appointment as SA Media to his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State.”

    “I strongly believe that her dedication and commitment have now paid off. All that she now requires is to remain focused in discharging her duties efficiently.”

    “I have no doubt whatsoever that she will deliver and stand out in any media-related responsibility that is given to her in the course of her stay in office,” he said.

    The SWAN President also commended Governor Mutfwang and urged him to sustain his media-friendly disposition in developing Plateau State.

  • SWAN calls for emergency on state owned football teams in A’Ibom

    SWAN calls for emergency on state owned football teams in A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, in Akwa Ibom has called for an emergency intervention by the state government to salvage the dwindling fortunes of Dakkada FC of Uyo, following their recent poor on-field performance in the ongoing NPFL season.

    It has also called for immediate overhauling of the coaching crew and the management team of Ibom Angels FC because of their woeful performance in the Nigerian Women league that has seen them relegated.

    A communique at the end of it’s April Congress in Uyo yesterday, the association urged the state government to provide financial incentives to the teams to serve as a potent motivation in their remaining fixtures.

    It however commended the State Government for the ongoing renovation of the Uyo Township Stadium and believed that the Stadium when completed would become a Sports Complex to complement other sports infrastructures in the State.

    The communique expressed the need for the revitalisation of Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival as an annual event for sustainable sports talent haunt and development in the State and urged the State Government to inject extra vigour into sports sector to help boost sports development projects and programmes in the State.

    While congratulating the State Chairman Mr. Emanuel Akpan and his Exco for their second term in office, it also resolved to support the outgoing Vice President of SWAN (South South), Prince Bonny Nyong in his bid to become the Deputy National President in the upcoming SWAN National Executive Council election.

    SWAN also congratulated the Governor-elect, Mr Umo Eno and the Deputy Governor-elect, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi on their victory in the just concluded guber polls in the state and expressed confidence that the new administration would consolidate on the lofty achievements of the outgoing administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

  • Senator Dickson Bags Award Of Excellence From Bayelsa SWAN

    Senator Dickson Bags Award Of Excellence From Bayelsa SWAN

    Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

    The Senator representing Bayelsa west in the National Assembly, Sen.Henry Seriake Dickson has been honoured with an award of excellence by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bayelsa State Chapter.

    Presenting the award to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Alambo Datonye, the chairman of Sports writers Bayelsa State chapter, explained that the award was given to Senator Dickson, who hails from Toru-Orua, to appreciate his valuable contributions to the development of Sports in the State.

    “ We have watched your activities very closely, all through your term as Governor of Bayelsa State for eight years, you are one man that love sports. You invested immensely in sports, the restoration cup you introduce, we had alot of talents from rural communities making it to the Bayelsa United team that has taken the country by storm.

    ” People ordinarily that will not have the opportunity were discovered through the restoration cup and were groomed.We cannot forget the the annual Governor Dickson wrestling classic, you funded it and ensure that, the competition became darling of the sporting community in Nigeria.

    ” All the top wrestlers in Nigeria converge in Yenagoa each year to wrestle and at the end of the tournament they smile home, eventually some of them became African champions, and then our own daughter, Blessing Oborududu who became an Olympic Silver Medalist, for the first time wrestling won a medal in Olympic, because of the foundation you built by supporting Governor Dickson wrestling classic.”

    Comrade Datonye who stressed that association would continue to throw it’s weight behind his programs, especially the soon to be concluded Ofurumapepe Cup, and the forthcoming Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition, as he expressed hope that the award will spur him to contribute more to Sports Development.

    “As sports writers, we have monitored your antecedents and contributions to sports development in Bayelsa State.

    “It is on this note that we have decided to honour you with this special award of excellence and we hope it will encourage you to do more for sports development in Bayelsa state ,” Alambo added.

    Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while receiving the award, appreciated SWAN, for supporting his sporting activities, urging the association not to relent in their profession.

    According to the Senator, sports remain a tool for promoting unity and togetherness, and also a panacea for grooming young talents, so of which will emerge professionals in the nearest future, urging well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to team up with the government in developing the sector

    His words, “Sports Development is key, it promotes tourism, is for healthy living and lifestyle, youth engagement, and cuts across all aspects of life”.

    “So I call on the Federal Government, to partner with the Bayelsa Government in making the Sports Academy, after the Memorandum of Understanding we signed with the Sports Minister. That Academy is meant to export talents, and I am proud with the work I and my team did there. I also call on private individuals, corporate bodies to support sports. They can pick any of the sports and sponsor it, everything about sports and maintainable of its facilities cannot be left for government alone.”

    The immediate past Governor dedicated the award to his team who worked with him to deliver his mandate, as he announced his readiness to set a football club, to be known as Ofurumapepe Football Club.

    Senator Dickson equally extended his appreciation to media houses and pressmen for their cooperation with his administration, assuring he unveil more programs in Sports, Education and Culture.

  • Sports minister, Sanusi to receive SWAN top awards

    Sports minister, Sanusi to receive SWAN top awards

    By Mike Oboh

    Ministers of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare and his Federal Capital Territory Administration state counterpart Dr Ramatu Tijjani top the list of awardees for FCT SWAN WEEK 2021.

    FCT SWAN chairman Bunmi Haruna disclosed this at a media conference heralding the SWAN week billed to hold from December 6 -9 in Abuja

    Also slated to receive award are NFF general secretary, Dr Muhammad Sanusi, former NFF president Alhaji Sani Lulu and the Medical Director Alliance Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Otabor amongst others

    “We hope to recognize the contributions of individuals that have distinguished themselves in sports development in the territory as well as honoring members who excelled in the discharge of their duties during the year

    “We are kicking off the week with a novelty game between FCT NUJ selected and SWAN on Monday December 6 at the Turf Arena with the Sports Minister expected to officiate the game

    “Other activities lined up for the week include seminar/ work shop, free medical checkup, football and table tennis competitions for both the young and veterans The week will be climaxed with the awards ceremony at the Lounge of the Moshood Abiola national stadium, Abuja” the SWAN Boss stated

    Also speaking at the conference, the chairman of the SWAN Week Chris Onekpegu disclosed that the fixtures for the football will involve 14 teams with New comers Wazobia FM locking horns with serial winners NTA in the opening game. In the other fixtures, Brila FM will tackle Correspondent chapel while Nigeria Info will engage ITV. Vision will play love FM , TSTV vs Liberty TV, TVC VERSUS Arise TV and Trust TV versus AIT.

    Also present at the press conference, the convener, Girl Child Values Support Initiative, Precious Wakili, she says they hope to partner SWAN to raise awareness about women and girls with disability.

    “We are a nonprofit organization that is focused on empowering rural women and girls particularly women and girls with disabilities through Arts, Sports, Education, Storytelling, Advocacy and Health. We intend to use sports to fight against gender based violence using our hashtag #SPORTForACTIVISM”

  • Agbana Football Academy donates sets of chairs to Ekiti SWAN

    Agbana Football Academy donates sets of chairs to Ekiti SWAN

    Players of Agbana Football Academy of Ado-Ekiti on Thursday donated some sets of chairs to the Ekiti chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

    Ademola Agbana, the academy’s coach who led the players to the Ekiti SWAN office at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, said the donation was a show of appreciation.

    “The decision to donate the chairs to the association chapter was borne of our desire to appreciate the association’s contributions to sports development.”

    The coach noted that SWAN plays a vital role of ensuring sports development.

    He urged other stakeholders to support the association morally and financially in order to encourage them to do their jobs effectively.

    “The donation of these chairs is to appreciate the efforts of SWAN to the development of sports activities in Ekiti.

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on other stakeholders to contribute their own quota to making the job of SWAN members easy and effective,” the academy coach said.

    He lauded the leadership of SWAN in Ekiti, urging it to avoid all forms of divisive tendencies which could split the association.

    Receiving the chairs, Chairman of Ekiti SWAN, Qozeem Oladapo, expressed gratitude to Agbana Wonderful Academy for their kind gesture.

    Oladapo said the recent trend where some stakeholders have been extending hands of love to SWAN was a welcome development.

    “I promise our association’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports and all sports activities for an all-round development.”

    Speaking also, the immediate-past chairman of Ekiti SWAN, Ayodeji Ogunsakin, expressed delight at the impressive show of love by Agbana Wonderful Academy.

    He also praised the Vice-Chairman of Ekiti Referees Council, Adeshina Oguntuase, for his support to the chapter, urging other stakeholders to also identify with the state SWAN.

  • Aiteo Cup Final: we will not accept the wicked treatment shown to our members, SWAN tells Nasarawa Government

    Aiteo Cup Final: we will not accept the wicked treatment shown to our members, SWAN tells Nasarawa Government

    By Leo Nzwanke, Lafia

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa state has said the ministry of youth and sport had abandoned sport writers reporters who where part of the contingents to cover the final match between Nasarawa United vs Bayelsa United in Edo state.

    This was contained in a press release signed by the chapters chairman Isa Mohammed of the Nigeria Television Authority who was also part of the delegates saying the treatment meted on some of its members attached to the Nasarawa state contingent for the recently held 2021 Aiteo Cup Finals in Benin City, Edo state was unacceptable.

    “While we appreciate the gesture of the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Developments, Othman Bala-Adam in carrying us along with regards to activities of the ministry, we are however appalled by the conduct of officials of the ministry recently in Edo state.”

    Isa said three members of the association were duly invited by the Honourable Commissioner to join the state entourage to Benin City to cover the Aiteo Cup finals at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sunday.

    “But even before they reached Edo state, arguments arose over their logistics between the ministry and the management of Nasarawa United led Isaac Danladi, which is pivotal in getting the best out of the journalists.”

    Nevertheless, he said they carried out their duties despite the difficult situation they were faced with.

    Surprisingly, he said after the state team’s painful loss to Bayelsa United, “at 6:30am departure time was agreed for the entourage the next day. But to our dismay, the journalists who were also part of the entourage woke up and found out that the entourage led by directors of the ministry had left the state, abandoning the journalists to their fate.”

    “All pleas to stop the vehicle so the journalists could catch up with them was rebuffed. The barbaric behaviour of the officials is highly condemnable and we demand an apology for the undignified treatment our members passed through.”

    While also commending the state commissioner for Youth and Sports Mr. Othman Bala for intervening and finding an alternative transport means several hours later but insist that the inhumane treatment meted on our colleagues be addressed to prevent it repeating itself in future.” He said.

    He further gave the assurance towards ensuring good cordial relationship between Engr. Abdullahi Sule and the association saying the association will not sit idle and allow any negative element destroy the giant strides achievement put together by the governor Abdullahi Sule administration to revamp the sports sector in the state for effective service delivery.

  • SWAN, NUJ, Dakkada, others congratulate new NPFL champions, Akwa United

    SWAN, NUJ, Dakkada, others congratulate new NPFL champions, Akwa United

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Akwa Ibom has congratulated Akwa United FC of Uyo for winning its first Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

    Also joining SWAN in congratulating the new NPFL champions, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ in Akwa Ibom, Dakkada FC of Uyo and Plateau United FC of Jos all described the title as well deserved.

    In a statement in Uyo, endorsed by its state chairman, Emmanuel Akpanika and Secretary, Theophilus Udoh, SWAN also congratulated the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Uko and club Chairman, Mr Paul Bassey for working tirelessly to ensure the team emerge victorious in the 2020/2021 season.

    “It is on record that Akwa United won its first FA cup trophy in 2015 as well as won Aiteo cup in 2017 and today, history is again written in favour of the club by winning the first ever NPFL trophy after competing in the league for several years.

    “SWAN express gratitude with the choice of Sir Monday Uko, to be in charge of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports and that of our senior colleague, Elder Paul Bassey, Senior Special Assistant on Sports/Chairman, Akwa United Football Club.

    “With this historic milestone, more is expected as the team steps into the continent of Africa as the best football club in Nigeria where they will face the best teams from other African countries.” The statement concluded.

    Also in a congratulatory message, state chairman of NUJ, Me Amos Etuk and Secretary Me Domnic Akpan in a statement said that the League Cup was a perfect gift to Akwa Ibom people for their support and devotion to the team since its establishment in 1996.

    The Union further described the victory as the sweet fruit of the club’s determination and hard work in the league campaign this season.

    ” We urge the club to reach for the stars in the CAF Champions League campaign, which begins in September, 2021, and push to retain the League Cup next season, because these are the hallmarks of champions.” NUJ said in the statement.

    Meanwhile, in separate congratulatory messages, the management of NPFL sides Dakkada FC of Uyo and Plateau United FC of Jos described the victory of the team in the just concluded league season as a victory to good football.

    It would be recalled that Akwa United FC romped to its first Nigerian top-flight league truimph last Sunday after it walloped visiting MFM FC of Lagos by 5-2 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

  • A’Ibom SWAN donate to Akwa United FC

    A’Ibom SWAN donate to Akwa United FC

    Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has donated packs of water to the management of NPFL runnaway leaders Always United FC as their contribution towards the success of the team in the current football season.

    The donation was made to the chairman of the club, Mr Paul Bassey at the team’s training session on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo

    At the occasion, Bassey stated that the present SWAN in the state has been supportive to the club, adding that he has never seen any of the association in the country that has been so closed to their football team like Akwa Ibom State Sports Writers Association.

    “I want to thank the current administration of SWAN in the state.It has been very proactive.This is a very big surprise to me and the the management,and we are very happy.

    “This SWAN has supported us and has been behind us and initiated programmes and activities that are very dear especially to some of us who passed through pen profesion.

    “I don’t remember anywhere in this country, where sports writers will identify with their club this way. I want to really thank you people for what you have done today.” The chairman stated.

    Speaking earlier,the State SWAN Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan, described water as very essential to the players, pointing out that it was in their last congress recently that they agreed to present the token as a support to the team to aid bring the league title to the state for the first time at the end of the season.

    Meanwhile, Akwa United FC would on Wednesday tackle Warri Wolves at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by 4pm.

    The Promise Keepers lead the league table with 61 points, five more than their closest rivals five matches to the end of the season.

  • 20th National Sports Festival: SWAN applauds Sports Minister

    20th National Sports Festival: SWAN applauds Sports Minister

    Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has applauded the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare for his contributions to the development of the sector since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The body under the leadership of Comrade Ahmed Aigbona after its virtual meeting in a statement said the minister and the Edo State government deserved applauses after the just concluded National Sports Festival held in Edo state despite the challenges in the country.

    In the communiqué signed by its deputy president, Malam Ado Salisu, Vice president North Central, Mr Emmanuel Ujah and Secretary General, Mike Oboh stated that the body was not part of a factional group which claimed that Mr. Dare was not media friendly as he has exhibited since his appointment to be on the same page with sports journalists across the country.

    It also passed a vote of confidence on the Sports Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare for his efforts in managing the crisis that erupted during the game due to the demand of the host state to get some financial relief from the Federal Government.

    SWAN stated that the claim by the group formed in Port Harcourt under one permanent secretary in the Rivers state cannot hold water as it was laced with blackmail, as SWAN affiliated to the Nigeria Union of Journalists will continue to strive with the sports minister in repositioning sports development in the country as he has displayed since assumption of office.    

    It stated that it was clear from their claim that the 20th National Sports Festival held in Benn city the Edo Capital, was the worst ever hosted by any state as statement of falsehood despite the festival witnessed the attendance of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with the best of sports facilities in venues were the games were held despite the COVID 19 pandemic.

    SWAN also noted that the minister’s relationship with the sporting press cannot be damaged by few individuals who are masquerading as sports journalists in the country to soil the working relationship between the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and Edo State government  

  • NSF2020: Nasarawa SWAN Commiserate with state ministry of sport over Robbery Attack on team bus

    NSF2020: Nasarawa SWAN Commiserate with state ministry of sport over Robbery Attack on team bus

    By Abel Leonard / Lafia

    The Nasarawa state chapter of Sports Writers Association (SWAN) has Condemned the dastardly robbery attack on one of the buses of Team Nasarawa along Akeleku village, near Lafia, while returning from the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival, but saluted the bravery of the Civil Defence escort personnel and driver for saving the lives of the contingent members.

    This was disclosed in a communique issued at the end of SWAN Nasarawa state chapters congress, held at the NUJ press centre, Makurdi Road, Lafia, Wednesday 21st April, 2021.

    SWAN also Congratulated Team Nasarawa for their outstanding performance at the recently concluded Edo 2020 National Sports Festival where they won twenty two medals.

    “Commended the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, for his unfettered support for sports and youth development, and urged him to sustain the tempo”.

    “Saluted the various sporting initiatives of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development headed by Honourable Othman Bala Adam in raising athletes for national and international podium appearance”.

    SWAN, further appeal to the state government to increase the security check-points along Lafia-Makurdi expressway to curb the incessant robbery cases along the route.

    The communique also Emphasized the need to revive school sports in the State for talent discovery and boost students’ academic performance.

    However, a three-man Committee was set up to conduct the State chapter’s election within the next two weeks to usher in new leadership.

    The chapter also Commiserated with SWAN North-Central Vice President, Comrade Danmusa Mohammed, over the death of his elder brother and former Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Hamza Elayo, and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal repose in Heaven.