BEING AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY SIR HONOUR SIRAWOO, Ph.D AT THE END OF HIS TENURE AS THE 10TH PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (SWAN), AT KRISDERA HOTELS, OMOKU RIVERS STATE, ON WEDNESDAY JULY 13TH, 2023

ZAKARI ISAH, KADUNA 

 *BEING AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY SIR HONOUR SIRAWOO, Ph.D AT THE END OF HIS TENURE AS THE 10TH PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (SWAN), AT KRISDERA HOTELS, OMOKU RIVERS STATE, ON WEDNESDAY JULY 13TH, 2023.*

“The tenure of human positions, no matter how highly exalted will eventually come to an end. Only God’s tenure is eternal” ~Oche Otorkpa.

Today, precisely July 13th, 2023, I mounted the saddle as the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

In my inaugural address, I had noted that there was work to be done as the state of SWAN then called for actions that were bold and swift; that the association needed a new lease of life that will be in tune with the dynamics of the times and earn due respect from all stakeholders.

I added further that our vision for SWAN was to be a catalyst for sports development anchored on professionalism and dignity, and, mission centered on entrenching a culture of professionalism and sound ethics for the advancement of sports and sports journalism in accordance with SWAN statute for the restoration of our dignity and rights.

Even more, I promised to not only create a database of membership, which will be reviewed annually and a robust website for the association, but to work towards securing a permanent national secretariat for SWAN in Abuja.  

My fellow Sports Writers, I stand before you today to say that the journey has been that of victories, triumphs, challenges, contest and consensus in our desire to place the association on a pedestal that would give us a bold name anywhere we go.   

Without any shred of doubt, I can with all sense of modesty say that the National Executive Committee (NEC), which I headed, performed beyond expectations, even though it is arguable that much more can still be done to uplift the association.     

Some of our achievements include but not limited to:

1. Donation of giant trophies to 36 State Chapters of SWAN to unite and  immortalize our heroes.

2. Securing Associate Membership Status of federation boards for members of SWAN.

3. Payment of AIPs membership for 220 SWAN members at the cost of $30 each, totaling $6,600.

4. Securing office accommodation consisting of office for the President, Secretary-General, Administrative Secretary, Treasurer and an open registry for the National Secretariat.

5. Employment of Administrative Secretary and a Driver to complement the Office of the Secretary-General. All staff has so far enjoyed regular salaries.

6. Full registration of SWAN as a corporate entity that can sue and be sued; thus giving it a corporate image.

7. Opening of a Domiciliary Account for ease of transactions with AIPS. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the association.

8. Cleared backlog of AIPS affiliation fees and also ensured the clearance of another debt of about 1,100 US dollars owed the AIPS on cards; and serviced local debts.

9. In conjunction with some Sports Federations, we organized Seminars/Workshops/Training for members.

10. For the first time in the history of SWAN, the President of AIPS visited Nigeria; where he joined the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, POS Africa to lay foundation stone for the Real Madrid Football Academy, in Port Harcourt.

11. Furnishing of the National Secretariat with state-of-the-art office furniture and standing fans to complement the Air Conditioners. Procured Power Generator, SHARP AR-M201 Photocopy machine, Computer set with WI-Fl and UPS as well as a three in One Color Printer for the Secretary.

12. We have ensured the continuous participation of Nigeria in the AIPS young reporters programme.

13. For the first time, we secured from a state government sponsorship for 10 members to cover the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

14. We have been honoured by various organizations for rejigging qualitative service delivery.

15. We secured the first ever Power of Sports (POS) Award in Africa for Nigeria.

16. We have entrenched a fully computerized National ID card process and we have secured a comprehensive database of members for the Association across the country.

17. We opened a SWAN Registration/Card Account to ensure accountability and transparency.

18. We created Advisory Council consisting of former Presidents, and Advisory Committee consisting of past chairmen of state chapters in order to shaping leadership in the Association.

19. Through the support of SWAN under our leadership, Shooting Sports has finally been included as an event in the National Youth Games. The Federation has also been given opportunity by its International body to air their live events on two TV stations in Nigeria. The deal runs into thousands of dollars.

20. Secured partnership with Reno Hotel, a 3-star hotel in Katampe, Abuja, where SWAN card-carrying members enjoy subsidized rates on all class of rooms.

21. Facilitated the first AIPS Job Placement for a Nigerian.

22. I inherited N2,300 (Two Thousand, Three Hundred Naira) only. I am bold to say that this outgoing administration is not financially indebted to anybody or organization, but handing over a credit account in the custody of AIPS, to cover 3-year affiliation fees; and funds both in Naira and foreign currencies in SWAN Accounts with Zenith and Access Banks; that can sustain the incoming administration substantially, if properly managed. The Treasurer shall throw more light on this during his presentation.

Government is a continuum; I therefore expect my successor to follow up on the land donated to SWAN by the FCT Administration under the then Minister, Mohammed Bello for the building of SWAN permanent National Secretariat.

I also expect the new regime to activate the SWAN Foundation designed by my administration to carter for the welfare of members.

I pray that the new administration would institutionalize the Sports Commission, and SWAN online publication initiated by my administration and also follow up on our planned understanding with Max Air to ease air ticket cost for SWAN members.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa for his unquantifiable support to SWAN, my presidency and his commitment to the growth and development of sports in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

My esteemed regards also go the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS for his support and for providing the conducive atmosphere for this Triennial Delegates Conference to take place in the State.

Let me with profound sense of gratitude thank our National Patron, Chief Felix Obuah, DSSRS for his show of support and brotherliness. He proved once again to be a man for all seasons.

Our gratitude goes to former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung for approving an office for the national secretariat of SWAN at the National Stadium in Abuja and ensuring our membership of sporting federations; his successor, Mr. Sunday Dare, former Rivers Commissioner for sports, Chief Boma Iyaye, Mitchel Obi, Shehu Dikko, among others; past presidents of SWAN, particularly, Sir Barr. Steve Alabi, SGSA, Elder Fan Ndubueke, SGSA, Alhaji Sani Zaria, SGSA, Elder Olu Amadasun, SGSA, and my immediate predecessor, Alhaji Saidu Abubakar, SGSA, and elders in the association for their support at all times.

I wish to sincerely thank members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), states’ chairmen, and my fellow sports writers across the federation for their confidence in me to lead the association and constant prayers for success.

For those I have offended in the course of discharging my duties as SWAN president, I seek for your forgiveness as my actions were not intended to hurt anybody, just as I have forgiven those who in one way or the other might have hurt me.

As I take my bow today, I call on the next set of National Executive Committee members to remain resolute in the discharge of their duties in line with the statute and never waver or bow to those who feel if it is not them, then the association should go down.

Long live the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria        

Thank you and may God bless us all.

*Sir Honour Kuru Sirawoo, Ph.D*

Outgoing President.