Athletics

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Sir Honour Sirawo, has officially reacted to a Press Release emanating from the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) after the NUJ had a Special Delegates Conference which took place from January 24-27, 2023 in Kano.

The NUJ had disinformed the public through the Press Release, allegedly arrogating to itself the power to ‘supervise’ all SWAN activities as well as SWAN elections. Furthermore, the Kangaroo law made by NUJ also aimed at stripping off the leadership of SWAN the nomenclature of “National President”, while they felt that the title “National Chairman” was more appropriate amongst other obnoxious resolutions made. However, Secretary-General of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Jude Opara, while responding to the ill-conceived Press Release, re-emphasized that SWAN, which is now incorporated under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is now an entity. The autonomy which SWAN enjoys makes whatever decisions made for SWAN by the supposed ‘Special Delegates Conference’ of the NUJ in Kano, a wild goose chase. While encouraging members of SWAN to be resolute and go about their normal business, the Secretary-General further notified the public that SWAN’s legal team have been adequately briefed of the mischievous Press Release issued by the NUJ as well as SWAN’s international affiliates, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Recall, that the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, which was once affiliated to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), officially disaffiliated from the NUJ during her Triennial Congress which took place at Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday, October 7, 2019 with 30 out of the 36 States SWAN Chapter members ably represented by her chairmen and secretaries.