President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Christopher Isiguzo, on Wednesday in Abuja urged sports writers in Nigeria to take charge of their national association by chasing out impostors.
Isiguzo made this call when members of FCT Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) visited the NUJ National Secretariat to congratulate him on his re-election.
“SWAN is for sports writers. So, you should take back your association. You don’t allow people who have no business in sports writing to hijack your association.
“It is sports writers association of Nigeria, and not wheelbarrow-pushers association, and neither is it civil servants association of Nigeria,” he said.
Isiguzo, who was virtually returned unopposed at the 2021 NUJ Triennial National Delegates Conference on Thursday in Umuahia, said there can only be one legally-backed sports writing body.
”Forget all the noise being made by one group which claims to be incorporated. The essence of SWAN being granted the right to incorporate was for business purposes, as requested by the then SWAN leadership.
”But it all turned into something else thereafter, as those involved clearly have other things in mind.
“However, as it is now, it is left for those of you who are the real owners of SWAN, who are the real sports writers, to claim back your association,” he added.
Isiguzo also reserved praises for the Bunmi Haruna-led FCT SWAN Executive Committee which came into office in June.
“I’m happy with what you people are doing in Abuja, just like we have in Lagos.
“Ensure that the people you are relating with are sports writers, because the situation when somebody sits somewhere and is calling the shots, not minding the people that are doing the job, is an aberration and it will not be accepted.
“The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) also registered for administrative purposes but today they are not quarrelling with NUJ,” the NUJ President stated.
The FCT SWAN delegation, which was led by Bunmi Haruna, presented Isiguzo with a giant card to congratulate him on his re-election and assuring him of SWAN’s unwavering support.
“That you were re-elected almost unopposed confirms the love journalists across the country have for you. You deserve every bit of it. You have made us proud, you worked hard for it and now the result is here.
“But SWAN is your baby, and you need to help it stand again. Some persons are trying to create division within it but they will not succeed,” Haruna said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT SWAN delegation comprised some of the chapter’s Executive Committee members, former chapter chairmen and former National Executive Committee (NEC) officers.(NAN)
