The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter has congratulated the new President Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, following his resounding victory at the polls on Thursday 13th July 2023.
The National Triennial Delegate Congress was held at the Prestigious Chrisdera Hotel, Omok, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
The glamorous Congress had in attendance 26 states which were officially accredited to participate in the election in accordance with the constitutional statute.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Olatutu Oladunni and Bello Omotunde, Lagos SWAN described the Triennial Delegate Congress as a distinct and commendable one that will remain indelible in times to come.
In the statement, it says “On behalf of all esteemed members of Lagos SWAN home and abroad, we rejoice and felicitate the newly elected President and all other national officers that will be working with him for the next three years.
Most importantly, we also congratulate our own leaders who emerged from the South West zone, the former Chairman of Ekiti SWAN, who now emerged as the Vice President South West zone, the immediate past vice president South West Zone, who was also former chairman SWAN, Oyo State chapter, Oluwaseun Ajayi-Obe who also emerged as ex- Officio in the just concluded national election.
We are excited by the victory of Isaiah Benjamin recorded at the Triennial Delegates Conference of our great professional body SWAN, tagged, “Rivers 2023”.We therefore, congratulate Hon. President for the well deserved feat.
In the same vein, we also commend the electoral umpire, SWANECO, headed by Sunny Ogele.
To our immediate past president, Sir. Dr. Honour Sirawoo who was able to create a big shoe for the new executives to wear, we are grateful for a hitch free, peaceful and credible election.
Also, Lagos SWAN also commended other candidates most especially a seasoned journalist, Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar Moyoyo for the excellent spirit of sportsmanship he displayed during the process.
We tag the immediate deputy president as the Mandela of our time for the spirit of love showed after the election result, as he said it was not a never a do or die affair which really unveiled another side of his personality to all delegates present .
Alhaji Moyoyo was the hero of the day for accepting the outcome with an open heart and congratulating Mr. Benjamin in a warm embrace and sweet soft spoken felicitation expressions , which immediately created an atmosphere of peace, rejuvenation and love that is needed for progress of our great association.
Chairman Lagos SWAN said a time has come for a deeper reflection for all credible members of SWAN across the nation. A time to move forward, a time to advance for positivity, a time to become an amiable unifying body, a time to integrate into political institutions , corporate bodies and foreign parastatals as this will Invigorate the relevance and recognition of our professional body within the socio-economic and sociopolitical spheres respectively.
Olatutu Oladunni further said that Lagos state chapter has been the pride of the association for decades and we are very confident that a stabilised structure with credible policies in line with the constitution will enable Lagos state chapter stands the test of time which has begun to emanate despite the challenges.
We can confidently say that a work in progress is ongoing which includes all of us as members so we can all arrive at a suitable destination of testimony that will remain indelible in the memories of future generations who will eventually take over the baton in years to come.
Lagos SWAN also use this medium to commend the host State, SWAN Rivers State chapter, under the leadership of Sarah David who is also the first female SWAN Chairman in Nigeria and south-south zone, for a great warm reception they extended to all members and the beautiful experience we had at the Omoku town. We look forward to a better and smoother collaboration with Rivers SWAN in the nearest future.
More so, courtesy of our newly inducted Grand Patron Sir. Chief Felix Obuah who made it mandatory to give us the feel of his highly intimating luxurious castle that is incorporated with a classic angloxasin style Chapel which have the statue of the twelve disciples of Christ, a lake, a zoo, a sports center , an exotic lounge and amusement parks respectively.
We appreciate the special hosting as it serves as a unifying factor of utmost integration.