The Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kebbi State chapter, has elected new executive members to run the affairs of the union for the next three years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the officials emerged through consensus by all members of the association who converged at KACHEMA Conference Hall, Birnin Kebbi, for the election on Wednesday.
Announcing the list of the new officials, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Danladi Ibrahim, said Mansur Senche from Kebbi Radio emerged as the new Chairman; Olarenwaju Lawal of the Sun Newspapers was returned as Vice Chairman, while the position of Secretary went to Abdullahi Yalmo from Kebbi Television.
Others, according to him, are Uzairu Lawal of Rayhan Radio as Assistant Secretary; Zakariyya Tukur from Vision FM, Treasurer; Ibrahim Abdulhamid from Kebbi Television, Financial Secretary; while Nura Mu’azu from Radio Nigeria Equity FM clinched the position of Auditor.
Ibrahim appreciated all SWAN members in the State for their decorum, diligence, maturity and high sense of responsibility throughout the election processes, which he described as free, fair, peaceful and transparent.
The Guest of Honour and state Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, observed that both SWAN and NFF were on the same page looking for ways to improve sports development.
Ladan, who is also the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, said: “We in the NFF must work hand-in-hand with SWAN to ensure the success of sports across the state.
“We in Kebbi State are not blowing our trumpet in all aspects of sports, we need to wake up. Not only in football but virtually in all sports, we need more publicity.”
Earlier, the outgoing Chairman, Kunle Tajuddeen, described his two tenure of six years as one with many ups and downs, noting however that with cooperation from his executive and other SWAN members they were able to cross all hurdles to handover successfully.
He lamented that SWAN was facing a big challenge of minimal support from government especially in the Northwestern region, while advising governments, corporate organisations and individuals to take advantage of sports to tackle insecurity and youth restiveness.
Responding, the new chairman promised to operate an open door policy to accommodate all, assuring that his administration will welcome constructive advice that would put the association on the right path of development.
Senche also appealed to the state Ministry of Youths and Sports, Chairmen of different sports associations and philanthropists to recognise and consider SWAN as partners in progress in the development of sports in Kebbi, Nigeria and the world at large.
NAN also reports that the oath of office was administered by Faruq Bello, the SWAN National Treasurer. (NAN)
