The National President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Isaiah Benjamin, has called on members in Sokoto State to embrace the spirit of unity, professionalism and discipline while discharging their responsibility.
Benjamin made this assertion during the inauguration of the new leadership of the Sokoto State chapter of SWAN in the state on Monday.
Represented by the SWAN Vice President Northwest, Mr Kabiru Gobirawa, Benjamin observed that journalism remained a noble profession, hence the need for the practitioners to uphold its tenets.
He urged members to register with the national secretariat to authenticate their membership, while advocating for alignment in the association’s constitution to avoid working at variance with its provisions.
“You should work closely with all sports stakeholders in the state, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Football Association, the Nigeria Press Council, and other relevant bodies.
“This collaboration is essential to achieving SWAN’s commitment to elevating sports to global standards apart from enhancing sporting activities,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Sokoto State, Dalhatu Abdullahi, advised the new SWAN leadership to ensure unity and inclusivity in running the chapter’s affairs.
He also called for the revival and promotion of sporting activities in the state and among NUJ members to foster harmony among practicing journalists.
The General Manager of Vision FM, Muhammad Nasir, encouraged the new SWAN leadership to revitalise sporting events within the council and advised them to lead with dedication to achieve significant results.
In his acceptance speech, the newly sworn-in Chairman, Mr Umar Kware, expressed gratitude to the NUJ chairman for his efforts in reviving SWAN in the state.
He also appreciated the contribution of all stakeholders who worked towards the rejuvenation of the association.
Kware pledged to collaborate with qualified journalists to restore the dignity of the chapter and provide adequate coverage to pave way for promotion of sports in Sokoto State.
The newly inaugurated Sokoto SWAN executive include; Nasiru Suleiman of Arise TV as Vice-Chairman, Adeniyi Olugbemi from Leadership Newspaper, Secretary while Aminu Zaki of The Path Newspaper was returned as Treasurer.
Others are; Bilyaminu Tanko from Rima Television, Assistant Secretary, Nasiru Bello and Hassan Shuni of Rima Radio as Financial Secretary and Welfare Officer respectively.