BY SAB OSUJI

The body of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has wielded the big stick, suspending and as well striping six National Executive Committee, NEC, members over what it described as 'gross misconduct'.

Rising from its three-day full council meeting in Kano, Kano State, on Friday, SWAN said the affected members were allegedly involved in acts that tantamount to 'gross misconduct, abuse of privileges and anti SWAN activities'.

Rising from its meeting in Kano, SWAN named the  suspended persons to include Bonny Nyong, Deputy President, Azuka Chiemeka, Vice-president South-South and Ijeoma Peter-Nwante Financial Secretary all elected while those relieved of their appointment were Frankie Omonkhua,Vice President South-East, Lekan Ige Deputy Secretary General and Mansur Mohammed Vice President, North-West.

This was contained in the Communique signed by Chimezie Anaso, chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Segun Giwa, secretary, Chinwe Nnadozie member, Mustapha Musa,  member and Ikenna Okonkwo  Secretary  General of SWAN

It said the Full Council regretted the abuse of power and rascality in the build up to July 2023 Triennial Delegate Congress in Omok which led to the arbitrary disqualification of some aspirants and commended the affected persons for the maturity with which they managed the injustice.

The Full Council said it considered the purported wrongdoings leveled against President Isaiah Benjamin by some NEC  listened  to his side of the story and absolved him of any form of culpability. 

“Full council declared the allegations against the President  as hateful, vengeful, in bad state, gross abuse of privilege and of no consequences.

“Full Council unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Isaiah Benjamin as President of the Association and the entire NEC as presently constituted.

“Full council agreed that the needless crisis orchestrated by some misguided members of NEC had brought public embarrassment to the association, dented its corporate image which has rubbed it of immense benefits. 

“Full Council considered the activities of the following and suspended them from the association indefinitely for anti SWAN activities, Bonny Nyong, Azuka Chiemeka, Ijeoma Peter-Nwante, Frankie Omonkhua 
Lekan Ige and 
Mansur Mohammed,” it said 

SWAN Full Council removed Honour Sirawoo, its immediate past president from the position of Board of Trustees chairman and approved the increase of membership from three to seven who would in turn elect their leaders.

It said the Full Council resolved that the tenure of the current SWAN statute is due for review and a committee be set up accordingly at the next Full Council.

The Full Council resolved that former President Honour Sirawoo should return all the property of SWAN in his possession including the certificate of registration and mandated the National Leadership to invoke relevant sections of SWAN Statute to recover same.

“Full Council resolved that it is a criminal offense for anybody or group outside the Isaiah Benjamin-led NEC to use SWAN for any personal or unofficial Communication

“SWAN Full Council commended the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike, for his continued support to its activities and Sports development and affirmed that he is indeed Nigeria's Pillar of Sports.

“Full Council wished Ogun State a successful hosting of the forthcoming National Sports Festival, while calling on the Local Organising Committee to make adequate provisions for all participants including Sports Journalists.

“Full Council congratulated Finidi George on his appointment as Super Eagles coach and charged him to justify the confidence reposed on him while urging the Nigeria Football Federation to provide the enabling environment for him to succeed.

“Full Council commended Nigeria athletes at the recently held 13th  African Games in Ghana and urged the Ministry of Sports and Nigeria Olympic Committee to intensify preparations for Paris Olympics.

“Full Council called on the Sports Ministry to collaborate more with SWAN and reserve more slots for members of the association in subsequent international sporting competitions.

“Full Council commended the Government and People of Kano State for playing a good host to the leadership of the association,” it said. said