*Pledge unalloyed support to President Isaiah Benjamin
*Task president on convening Full Council Meeting
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), from Anambra and Taraba Chapters have frowned at those they described as willing tools in the hands of detractors to destabilize the association.
They expressed this in separate communiques issued at their respective congresses held in Awka and Jalingo respectively at the weekend.
Anambra SWAN in a communique jointly signed by its Chairman, Chimezie Anaso .and Assistwnt Secretary, Uche Ndeke, dated yesterday, said that “the Congress commended activities of the chapter and encouraged members to continue to do their best as sports journalists.
“The congress frowned at stage-managed crisis in the National Executive Committee of SWAN and condemned the activities of those lending themselves as willing tools to destabilise the association
“The congress reiterated its position as contained in the communique issued after the January Congress where it pledged unalloyed loyalty to the total confidence in the presidency of Isaiah Benjamin who was unanimously elected at the 2023 Triennial Delegate Congress Omoku, River State,” it said.
The congress described the purported impeachment of Benjamin by some members of NEC as ludicrous and a joke taken too far.
“The Congress enjoined those spearheading this destructive agenda to have a rethink and retrace their steps or be ready to face the consequences of their ill advised and ill intentioned actions
“The Congress called on the national leadership led by Isaiah Benjamin to intensify and expedite efforts towards the convening of SWAN Full Council as it has become expedient in order to chart a course for addressing these distractions on sustainable basis,” the communique said.
The congress commended the Anambra sports sector for the success of 2024 and charged the Sports Commission to begin to implement his programme for the year.
Similarly, in their communique,
Taraba State Chapter from their congress held on Saturday March 2, 2024 at the NUJ Press Centre Jalingo, affirmed full allegiance to SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin.
This was contained in the communique jointly signed by it drafting committee chairman, Kemuel Keke Moses, Mrs. Ruth Nungtso Rimamskwe (Member) and Sani Sulaiman (Secretary), made available on March 3, 2024.
“SWAN Taraba reiterates its full support to the present administration at the national level under the leadership of the President, Mr. Isiah Benjamin, and his exco who was elected by the majority of delegates at Omoku in Rivers State.
“The chapter also commends the President for his efforts to ensure that SWAN remains united in spite of unnecessary distractions,” it said.
According to Taraba SWAN, “as one family, we are urging the aggrieved members to join hands with Benjamin’s administration for the development of the association in Nigeria”.
The congress also thanked Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas for his developmental strides that are changing narratives in all sectors of the state.
“SWAN Taraba calls on the Taraba State Government to revive the State Sports Festival as it has served as an avenue for identifying young talents over the years.
“The association also calls on the Taraba State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to always synergize with the Taraba State Sports Council to identify talents at the grassroots.
“SWAN reiterates its commitment to supporting the government through adequate publicity of all sporting activities on all media platforms.
“The association again calls on the State Government to revive FC Taraba and Taraba Queen’s to bring back the lost glory of the darling teams,” it said.
Taraba SWAN similarly, charged the well-to-do, corporate organizations and religious bodies to invest in sports through sponsorship of competitions in Taraba State.
It harped on the need for the state government to also focus on the development of the Mambilla Altitude Sports Center in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area.
“The Association appreciates individuals and corporate organizations in Taraba state who have supported sports in one way or the other and encouraged them to sustain the tempo,” it said.
