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Sport

SWAN FCT calls for amicable resolution of crisis over Obi’s non-endorsement

NAN-S-17
Review
Abuja, Feb. 24, 2017 (NAN) The FCT Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has advocated an amicable resolution of the crisis engendered by the non-endorsement of Mitchell Obi for the upcoming AIPS elections.

The SWAN FCT Chapter, at its monthly congress held on Friday in Abuja, said the issue has also highlighted the need to review the Association’s rules and regulations.

In an eight-point communiqué, FCT SWAN while raising concerns over the failure of the national body to endorse Obi urged it to revisit the matter and endorse Obi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi’s candidature for the AIPS-Africa presidential elections had not been endorsed by national SWAN over matters of eligibility and due diligence.

His non-endorsement had then raised a dust, with the SWAN Lagos chapter passing a vote of no confidence on the Association’s National President, Honour Sirawoo.

Other groups within the Association also expressed dismay at his non-endorsement, while some others however called for caution in handling the matter.

The SWAN FCT Congress, which was well attended, advised the national body to as a matter of importance at its next NEC meeting, scheduled for Port Harcourt on Tuesday, endorse Obi’s candidature.

“The congress believes that the national SWAN NEC should invite Obi to the meeting to clear some of the allegations against him.

“It should also impress it on him that his stewardship should now be geared towards how Nigeria will benefit from his office.

“It is believed that discretion should always be a better part of valour in settling the rift,’’ the communiqué stated.

SWAN FCT also called for the SWAN rules and regulations to be strengthened to correct most of the anomalies in the association’s governance and structure.

It appealed to the Association’s veterans and senior members not to fold their arms and let things go wrong before intervening in the matter.

The SWAN FCT Congress also urged the Association’s National President to desist from taking unilateral decisions and henceforth work with elected NEC members.

The congress however did not fail to appreciate moves by the SWAN NEC to reposition the Association, and urged for more consultations before taking decisions on major issues.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

SWAN at 53: Chapter chairman seeks renewed interest in sports development

NAN-S-17

SWAN

Calabar, Feb.1, 2017 (NAN) Albert Andinam, Cross River Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and state secretary of the chapter, Dianabasi Effiong, have called on individuals, corporate organisations and relevant stakeholders in Nigeria gave renewed interest in sports development.

They made the call in Calabar in a joint statement they signed on Wednesday in Calabar to mark the 53rd anniversary of the association.

The two officials also called on government at state and local government levels to take sports seriously to generate employment and curb youth restiveness.

They said that sports remained veritable tool in promoting healthy living standards, image branding, public relations and reputation management for those who value them.

“Sports is a unifying factor, a money-spinning venture and a tool for tourism and infrastructural development. We can deliberately plan towards these by developing sports,’’ they said.

The chapter appealed to the Cross River Government to be more proactive in sports development and make concise efforts to harness talents using its Comprehensive Sports Development Policy to achieve the aim.

“By so doing, it will be better to groom them onshore than acquiring them offshore (poaching). The state can also effectively harness its potential toward sports development.

The association also called for the restoration of the National Sports Commission, adding that the commission had been the brain behind sports development excellence at the national level.

Andinam and Effiong stressed the need to create an enduring platform for the growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

They, however, lauded the national leadership of SWAN, led by Honour Sirawoo, adding that SWAN remained ‘’stronger, responsive and securing the trust and confidence of critical stakeholders.’’

According to them, the current leadership of SWAN has constructively promoted sports development, regulated as well as coordinated the activities of members.

The association also expressed the hope that Nigeria would continue to do well in sports at the local, states, national and global levels.

They also pledged members’ desire and determination to support sports development in line with SWAN’s aims and objectives, the National Sports Policy and global best practices.

A member of African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU and International Sports Press Association (AIPS), SWAN, was inaugurated on Feb. 1, 1964 and affiliated to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in 1985.

It has the mandate to coordinate the activities of the Nigerian media in the promotion of sports and enhance their socio-cultural values. (NAN)

GNO/DOE/DUA

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Dada Ahmed

Sport

SWAN condoles Dalung on wife’s death

NAN-S-17

Condolence
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Jan. 30 (NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has condoled the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on the demise of his wife, Mrs Briskila Dalung.

In a condolence message on Monday in Abuja signed by Olawale Alabi, the Association’s Secretary-General, SWAN said it was pained by the news of Briskila demise.

“Her death, which occurred after a brief illness, has no doubt left behind a vacuum which will be difficult to fill.

“We can only pray Almighty God in His Infinite Mercy to give you the fortitude to bear the loss, however,’’ he said.

SWAN also prayed that God should avert any more of such deaths, and keep safe those Briskila left behind.

“On behalf of SWAN members nationwide, please accept our condolences as we pray God to strengthen you and the rest of your family at this time of grief,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Briskila died in the early hours of Sunday after a brief illness.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)