It was another fruitful deliberation for a progressive course as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kogi State Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at the State Secretariat, Lokoja the State Capital.

Received by the Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry, Hon. Idris Musa (Oando), the team was accorded a warm welcome with members feeling at home following the friendly environment created by the Ministry.

Hon. Idris Musa, while addressing SWAN, appreciated the body for its efforts so far at disseminating sports news to other parts of the State, the Country and the world at large.

Hon. Musa noted that, today grassroots sports have been receiving adequate coverage, courtesy of the new leadership of the body in the State.

He commended Aturu Bishop, the State Chairman of SWAN for the new lift being experienced since his assumption of Office, urging the body to continue in such light.

He enjoined SWAN to continue to do its best at reporting and promoting sports in the State to the outer world, stressing that there was always reward for good work.

“I have been listening to your radio presentations and reading your news on various bloggs and other media platforms, your activities thus far is highly commendable

“When you represent us well, you represent yourselves well because we are all Kogites

“As we are all expected to give account of what we are doing, let us also be mindful of what we do as well

“We know what the body did during the “Edo 2020″, all your activities have been highly motivating and the State government is grateful”

The Sports Commissioner assured of the Ministry’s collaboration with SWAN at all times, tasking the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Victoria Tafu, to always remind the Ministry to include SWAN in its programs.

In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Slyvanus Akpama, applauded SWAN for living up to expectations, describing the body’s activities in the State so far as unprecedented.

Mr. Akpama stressed that collaboration with the body will go a long way at promoting sports in the State, assuring of a good working relationship between the Ministry and the body.

Earlier, the Kogi State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Aturu Bishop, noted that the body was in the Ministry to make known, the new development of the body and also seek for collaboration with the Ministry to give sports a face lift.

“We are here to let the Ministry know that SWAN in Kogi State has gotten new Executive
and we are ready to work to achieve an ideal SWAN

“We are here to appreciate the Ministry for its doggedness at promoting sports in Kogi State even in the face of Covid-19 that Sporting activities in some States have been paralyzed and still struggling to rise

“We, as SWAN Members in Kogi State are also here to seek for roboost relationship with the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development

“We need more engagement with the Ministry at all times

“We are here for you and we promise to take ownership of the Ministry’s projects in terms of publication”

Bishop pointed out that the State Chapter of SWAN will continue to live up to expectations, adding that members cooperation so far has been the propeller to the successes achieved within a short period.

He added that the State SWAN will continue to promote grassroots sports, promote the welfare of Sports Journalists, amongst others.

The State SWAN Chairman also appreciated the Commissioner for being down to earth, as he’s always reachable at all times, urging him to sustain such tempo.

In a remark, Elder Sam Egwu of the Leadership Newspaper, describe sports as a unifying factor, capable of bringing people together to achieve a common goal.

“In sports, no religion, no ethnicity, no clan, no tongue, what matters most is to work as a team and ensure victory at the end of the day”

Elder Egwu noted that sports remain a focal point in every State, adding that according attention to the sector will get a lot of youths engaged positively.

Similarly, Odinmayo Olatunde of Grace 95.5fm and Godwin Wambebe of the State Broadcasting Corporation 94.1fm Lokoja, describes Hon. Musa as one of the most outstanding Commissioner of Sports the State has ever produced, following transparency in his activities and his friendship with the Press.

While urging the Commissioner to always carry SWAN along in the Ministry’s activities, they also promised to always promote the Ministry using various Media platforms.

The meeting was also attended by the Ministry’s Director of Administration and Finance (DAF) and the Media Aide to the Honourable Commissioner, Apeh Mordecai.

On behalf of the State Executive Council of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State chapter, I join the family, friends and entire people of Kogi State to rejoice with His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, Executive Governor of Kogi State on his 46th birthday anniversary.

Your Excellency, you have no doubt demonstrated exemplary leadership with so much humane disposition in the last five years of your administration in the state.

Your stewardship, especially the numerous interventions in the Sports sector and Youth development have given the people of the state a different tale to tell and several reasons to smile.

Your Excellency’s drive for excellence in sports has heralded a new era in our dear state, evident in the outpouring of love and showering of praises by major stakeholders in the sector.

It’s on this note that we pray God to grant you many more fruitful and graceful years to continue to steer the sheep of the state.

Your Excellency, Congratulations and Happy 46th Birthday.

Ayan resu oiza!!!

Signed

Aturu Bishop
(Chairman)

Sports Writers across the country have been challenged to equip themselves with the necessary digital skills to reposition themselves for greater efficiency.

Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State chapter, Comrade Aturu Bishop made the call in Lokoja while declaring open an In-house training on Digital Skills for Sports writers in the state, on Friday.

Bishop disclosed that the training was organised to provide sports reporters with latest digital skills to deepen and enhance their professional practice.

According to the Chairman, “as people saddled with the responsibility of informing the populace on latest developments around the globe, it is also imperative that you are well and better informed.”

He said the training was expected to reinvigorate the machinery of news reporting, providing modern day access and well-balanced reportage.

Bishop maintained that the current Council will continue to strive further in improving the welfare and well-being of every member, adding that it was also incumbent on them to reciprocate by supporting the council to prosecute its laudable programs.

He enjoined members to take advantage of the training to boost their professional calling in order to be able to carry out their duties effectively.

The training which dwelled on contemporary skills and trends in Information and Communication technology was organised by the Kogi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

• Calls for grassroots sports development drive

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kogi State Chapter, has bided the State contingent success to this year’s National Sports Festival as they set to compete for medals.

This was made known in a statement jointly signed and issued out to newsmen in the state by the chairman, Bishop Aturu and secretary of the association, Lawal Aliyu, charging the state contingent to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship as they compete.

According to the statement, the association, stressed that though the state is participating with fewer sports as against the usual, it encouraged the contingent to strive hard to claim medals in the few registered sports.

SWAN further pleaded with the relevant authorities of various sporting sports association heads to invest more in discovering and training athletes for more participation in upcoming national sporting events.

Also, in the statement, the state SWAN association emphasized on the need for massive grassroots sports development drive to discover and nurture future stars for the state.
It further revealed that if the state must do well in national competitions, like Delta, Lagos and, Edo state, they must work hard to register and qualify from zonal competitions to enable them stand the chance of competing for more medals.

The state as disclosed in the statement is blessed with so many talents playing and representing other state due to lack of training facilities in some cases and low motivation from necessary quarters.

The Statement advised State Officials to this year’s festival to ensure that what rightfully belongs to the athletes reaches them so as to boost their morale.

They further applauded his Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello for releasing fund for the festival, while pleading to the state government through the sports ministry to invest more on grassroots sports and the ministry to carryout sporting projects in the state.