Ugo Willy, Gombe
The Gombe State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has passed a vote of confidence on its national leadership led by Isaiah Benjamin.
The Association, during it’s Congress Meeting held on Sunday April 14th, 2024 at the Correspondents’ Chapel Complex, also fixed May 5th, 2024 for election into the State’s Executives Committee.
A release signed and made available to newsmen by the interim Secretary, Uwumarogie Peter, indicated that the immediate past Chairman, Halilu Mohammed Teli, highlighted way forward for the Association in the State where it commended the Benjamin-led leadership in upholding SWAN’s standards and working for the unity of the association.
The members urged the national body of SWAN to comprehensively tackle the threat of quackery in sports journalism as it relates to the association by ensuring that the platform remains only for practicing journalists and not merchants who have no interest in sports but to create disaffection and serve interests other than SWAN’s
During the meeting, an electoral committee was constituted to see to the electoral activities that will herald a new leadership in the state chapter.
The three-man Electoral Committee is to be chaired by Hudu Shehu of FRCN, with Peter Uwumarogie of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to serve as Secretary while Mr Barkuwa Kalla would also serve as a member of the community.
Mohammed also highlighted efforts so far made in registering members, adding that all members who attended the congress had been properly registered with the national body. He noted however that four members were absent from the meeting having taken proper excuse.
The members also addressed concerns regarding the attempts to create chaos in the leadership of the state chapter which almost led to emergence of an unconstitutional splinter group in the state.
They highlighted and commended the role played by Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House in addressing the issue that almost created chaos in the State chapter.
Members were also urged to beam their searchlight and promote other sports besides football to ensure that other sports are given the increased media coverage they deserved.
This is in view of the believe that covering other sports would help expose the several hidden talents as well as ensure inclusion of other sports and athletes in media reportage towards promoting others sports aside football.
The Statement Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was also commended for paying the licenses of all Nationwide League football clubs in the state as well as supporting them with vital kits. This, the association said, would ensure grassroots development of football in the state.
