For his unalloyed supports and commitment to the development of sports generally as well as his efforts towards ensuring that the Nigeria super Eagles get the desired qualification to the Nation cup and the 2018 World cup, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, has been honoured and decorated as the National Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN.
The honour bestowed on him was as a result of his passion and commitment to sports and youth development within the short time of his administration which he has demonstrated openly to the admiration of the Nigeria sports family.
Speaking at the event held at the Government House in Port Harcourt Friday, the National President of SWAN Alh. Saidu Abubakar described Gov. Wike as a true sportsman who is desirous of using sports as a tool for National unity and development.
He specifically thanked the governor for his supports to the NFF and the super Eagles by hosting virtually all the qualifying matches towards the Nation’s cup and the World cup.
The SWAN boss also commended the governor for hosting the full council meeting of SWAN held recently in Port Harcourt as well as his donation of a brand new 18-seater bus to the Rivers state council of SWAN.
Responding, the elated Governor Nyesom Wike appreciated the honour done to him by SWAN and said he would continue to support sports and youth development as one of the development programmes of his administration.
He said no matter whatever challenges, be it financially or otherwise, sporting activities must be supported by every government for peaceful co-existence and youths development, assuring that the River state government under his watch would partner with SWAN to promote sports in the country.
Gov. Wike assured the Leadership of SWAN of the readiness of the Rivers state government to support SWAN, as the Association plan it’s forth coming 50th anniversary celebration.
Meanwhile the National Secretariat of SWAN has set up a 12-man committee saddled with the responsibility of organizing a befitting 50th anniversary celebration for the Association.
The committee which will be inaugurated in December in Port Harcourt has Mr. Colin Udoh as Chairman/consultant, while Mr Honour Sirawoo will serve as the vice chairman. Other Members include Mr Kayode Adeniyi, Mr Mozez Praiz, Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka , Mallam Idris Malikawa, Alh. Umar Saidu, Representative of the office of the Pillar of sports, Representative of Standard Alliance Insurance PLC, Representative of Owu Sports Wears Ltd, Representative of Capital oil, while Mr Ben Ogbemudia will serve as Secretary.
In another development, a 3 man reconciliation committee set up by the National leadership of SWAN on the botch election crisis in the Oyo state chapter of the Association will meet with all the factions on Monday 23rd November in Ibadan by 12noon at the state NUJ press centre.
The committee headed by the Ag. National vice president of SWAN south south Mr Honour Sirawoo alongside Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka and the National vice president south west, Mallam Muiyideen Adeleke are expected to meet with all the various factions and members as well as the leadership of the Oyo state NUJ.
