By Correspondent in Abeokuta.
The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Comrade Benjamin Kemje Isaiah, has called on members of the association to actively participate in politics and governance within the sports sector at local, national, and international levels.
Isaiah made the call while receiving the Director-General of New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Ogun 2024.
According to the SWAN President, involvement in sports politics would enable members to stay abreast of developments within sports federations, and ensure that the contributions of sports writers are recognized and respected across sporting bodies.
He commended Mr. Oredipe for venturing into sports politics and urged SWAN members to support him, describing Oredipe as a seasoned journalist and respected colleague.
“I want to encourage us to support Kolawole. He used to be one of us and is still very much part of us. His journey into sports governance should inspire others to step forward and take part in shaping the future of Nigerian sports,” Isaiah said.
In his remarks, Oredipe informed SWAN members of his intention to contest for the position of South-South Zonal Board Member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
He appealed for their support, citing his 25 years of experience in both print and electronic media, including his previous role as Assistant Director of News at Radio Nigeria, South-South Zone.
Oredipe, a former member of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Bayelsa State, expressed confidence in securing the position with the backing of SWAN and the broader Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
