Echoes from SWAN 54th full congress
At the moment, there is a new horizon in the structure, style and overall conduct of the country’s special breed of journalists, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). You could be wondering why I placed the tag ‘special breed’ on Sports Writers members of fourth estate of the Realm. The nomenclature, which I strongly accept as true, was not coined by me or any journalist practising at this time.
It was however declared by one of renowned Scholars in Nigeria, Professor Peter Esuh, an authority in academic fraternity, is known to not only Nigerians but the entire world who after thorough research stated the obvious.
His verdict captured when he made a presentation at the just concluded 54th full council meeting of SWAN held in Portharcourt, Rivers state didn’t just create a new assertion. Rather, it re-affirmed the essence of what has existed, much older than certain other ideologies revolving round the conventional and current new media practice both within and beyond the country.
In fact, the Professor’s postulation debatably outlives 1964, when Sports Writers in Nigeria came together and formed SWAN, a professional body with the mandate of bringing together those who decided to carve out responsible means in sports writing and reporting as ‘special breeds’ with the aim of coordinating the activities of the Nigerian media in the promotion of sports and their socio-cultural values.
Rivers of experience
For the over 100 Sports Writers drawn from the 36 states and of course the nation’s capital, the 54th general meeting which ‘transmitted’ to a colloquium of sorts was a moment to behold.
Besides, lecture by the erudite Professor, further discussions bordering on the future of SWAN took stage. Yours sincerely who was part of the delegates at the full council was particularly impressed with what appears to be a resurgence in the manner affairs are carried out by the association.
Aside, organisation and what many will prefer to tag as ‘packaging’, there were much glamorous and composed environment for ‘smooth operation’. It goes to show how far the incumbent National Executive Committee (NEC) of SWAN has gone ahead in engendering needed transformation. I don’t intend to use this page to carry out any form of publicity stunt under any influence but the need to stress that members of Fourth Estate of the Realm deserve the best in all ramifications triggered my desire to drum it through.
I wasn’t surprise by the height of treat media professionals received while the event lasted at the Garden City state. Perhaps, Rivers state, under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike, gives much credence to excellence whenever it’s required. And so, nothing less than the bar already raised during the just concluded meeting should be sustained.
Change of guard at the nation’s
capital
In any case, the wind of change blowing across the length and breadth of Sports Writing in Nigeria began with recent electioneering processes which ushered in new leadership structure now led by Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka who took over from veteran, Comrade Kayode Adeniyi. Apart from the usual campaign strategies adopted by various Candidates ahead of the eventual poll which held three weeks ago, exactly on May 4, 2018 inside National Stadium Abuja, the general (peaceful) conduct of all including contestants and electorates was worthy of emulation. Give to all Sports media practitioners resident in Abuja, they deserve all the accolades. From my opponent, Chris Onokpegu, Francis Totori whose ‘political’ nomenclature has metaphase to ‘emerging Godfather’, former National officers – Comrades Mike Ndidi and Richard Jideaka, Andrew Abah, then ‘Prof’ Fidelis Ebu, particularly, members of the electoral committee, representatives of NEC including President Honour Sirawo, National Secretary Wale Alabi, Zonal Secretary Jude Opara and Vice President Dan Musa, et al, your elderly contributions were sine-quo-non.
After all, my emergence as the Scribe of the professional body did not only demonstrate the volume of trust my Colleagues reposed on me but it placed a mountain heap of expectations from everyone on board this present administration. The burden is already on us and the ground has been hit running with numerous arrays of better times ahead.
Already, members have begun to witness the breadth of fresh air considering visible positive steps taken so far.
Lessons thereafter
As 2019 general elections draw closer, there is yearning need for Nigeria’s political gladiators to learn from Sporting media, take a quantum leap into the future of our dear Nation and refuse further bloodshed before, during and after election at any level of contest.
It doesn’t matter the Dozier of plans or promises in form of golden gifts they have for Electorates, using all means to actualise their governance ambition shouldn’t be an option. Violence can never be a means of achieving desired result. Like the immediate President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan would say “My ambition is not worth the blood of anyone.” If every other Politician adopts similar measure and apply it, election will not be turned to war zone. If as a leader, you still have conscience, what manner of position will be you occupying when you know that the process that led to it is/was questionable. The country’s electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must also play their own role with fear or favour.
Professor Esuh whose content of presentation during SWAN full council was packed with varying admonitions, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to always apply the principles that represent Sports in discharging his duties. In fact, he even preferred the Nation’s number one man to draw SWAN close in his supposed anti-corruption fight.
The reason for his preference was not far-fetched. According to him, apart from the height of dexterity the body is associated with, their style of reportage which exposes several societal ills including lopsidedness, ethnic bias, unjust disqualification amongst others within the sports sector is worthy of emulation.
Unlike, Governor Wike in Rivers, Governors of other states in the country should stop paying lip service to teaming unemployment. Majority of the young People appear helpless, yet Sports can address their woes, only if leaders at all levels will key in and use sports as a veritable weapon to arrest increasing insecurity and joblessness among the youths at different domain. Let’s be sincere, if adequate resources are meaningfully deployed to developmental sports in Nigeria, it will only take a short period, much yearned change will practically be evident.
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