The Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Lagos chapter, has flagged off activities ahead of the association’s election, scheduled for October this year.
At a well-attended Congress held at the SWAN Secretariat in the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday, a three-member team from SWANECO was announced, following approximately three decades, active participation in a debate session.
Sir Victor Enyinnaya (KSP), a veteran and elder in Lagos SWAN, has been appointed as the Chairman of Lagos SWANECO. He has been a member of SWAN for about three decades, participating actively in both national and state chapter elections.
He is the Deputy Grand Council Knight, Knighthood Order of St. Paul (KSP), Nigeria, in the Metropolitan See of Lagos Archdiocese. Sir Enyinnaya has been a Knight of the Holy Catholic Church for 15 years now.
Another member of the Committee includes Mr Jerry Apeleokhai, an experienced sports journalist for more than a decade, who is the Head of Sports at the Voice of People TV. Mr Apeleokhai will serve as the Secretary of the SWANECO.
Another member of the SWANECO is Mr Joshua Uloko, a seasoned journalist, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Media Community Award. He is the publisher of Citypride magazine, which has produced over 400 editions so far to promote social security, sports and international diplomacy. In the last three years, Mr Uloko has worked immensely on sports diplomacy and security, partnering with the Lagos SWAN.
Meanwhile, Lagos SWAN secretary, Omotunde Bello, while welcoming members to the Congress, said the Executive led by Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, has been working in line with the Statutes of the association, adding that the Congress was called in line with the relevant provisions of the SWAN Law.
The chairman, Ambassador Oladunni, commended the commitment shown by all the members who attended the Congress. She told the members that it is high time stakeholders in sports writing see sports from different perspectives outside the status quo of what sports writing used to be.
According to her, “Sports have gone beyond reporting matches, interviewing players, coaches and others that have been the practice before now. Today, we see sports in a lot of areas, sports diplomacy. sports culture, sports tourism, sports fashion, sports security, sports travels, sports business and others. I want us to think outside the box.
“We have been doing a lot since we assumed office, and I thank God that we have been able to give Lagos SWAN an identity that has been a beautiful bride to the Nigerian public and private sectors, including all the security agencies in the country, who are ready to collaborate with us to move the association forward.
“I remember a programme we organised at the University of Lagos recently; the Chief of Defence Staff, Musa Christopher Gwabin, sent a high-powered delegation led by the Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Mamman.
“Last November, we partnered with the Office of the President of The Gambia and collaborated with the High Commissioner of The Gambia to ECOWAS Nations and the diplomatic community in the country to promote sports via the United Nations SDGs under the UNESCO.
“Lagos SWAN is now a corporate brand that has gone beyond intra-partnerships, but is now a cross-continental brand with global positioning amongst corporate giants. The essence of this is that we want our members and the association to be respected and valued
“The essence of sports is to serve as an agent of unity and peaceful coexistence, and I want to enjoin every member of Lagos SWAN to go for collaborations to add value to their career,” Ambassador Oladunni said.
Vice chairman Aaron Akerejola wants members to be free to offer advice to move the association forward, as the Olatutu Oladunni-led executive is in office to serve for the betterment of the members.
In his remarks at the Congress, another veteran sports journalist, Mr Tayo Adeyemo, was excited with the turnout of the members for the Congress. He urged members to be steadfast in the face of the challenges, even as he tasked the Oladunni-led executive to continue the good works that the executives have been doing since assuming office.
The congress was postponed till the 31st of July 2025, due to a special request from the National Body in regard to some misinformation reaching out to them and also to encourage the peaceful spirit led by Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, as she wants everyone to partake in the forthcoming election in October.
