Despite Police intimidation, the Lagos State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN), convened its congress on Thursday, 11 April, 2024 at the National Stadium in Surulere.
There was heavy presence of men of the Nigerian Police Force reportedly deployed from Area C Police Command, but Lagos SWAN members ignored the distraction and used the gathering to address critical issues concerning the association’s well-being and the welfare of its members.
The Force were reportedly deployed under the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade.
At the well attended event, Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun, highlighted that the congress provided the State Executives, an avenue to engage members on policies, recent developments and future objectives of the association.
Oshundun however addressed concerns regarding the emergence of unauthorised splinter groups, emphasising the Chapter’s collaboration with the National Executives of National SWAN, led by Isaiah Benjamin, to address this issue and uphold SWAN’s journalistic standards.
With over 40 members present, the congress had in attendance some former Chairmen of Lagos SWAN, such as Frank Ilaboya, MD/CEO, Sportsville Communication Limited; Tony Ubani, the Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspaper and Niyi Oyeleke of Supersport.
During the meeting, Ilaboya commended members for their resilience in the face of intimidation, harassment and abuse of power and urged the Executive Committee to develop programmes that will benefit Lagos SWAN members.
Ilaboya, the former Chairman of Owan West Local Government in Edo State and erstwhile Chairman of Edo State Football Association, suggested the formation of a high-powered committee to engage prominent SWAN members and patrons, thus strengthening and revitalising the association.
Ubani, the Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspaper/former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Nigerian Olympics Committee (NOC), condemned the involvement of Lagos State Police Command in destabilizing the activities of Lagos SWAN, and highlighted the abuse of power and intimidation targeted at legitimate journalists.
He expressed outrage, labelling the aggressive actions of armed Policemen to stop the congress from holding as not only deplorable but also a grave insult to the esteemed journalism profession.
Adekunle Salami, Sports Editor of New Telegraph Newspaper, affirmed his commitment, along with other Editors, to restore the dignity of Lagos SWAN by actively opposing certain impostors collaborating with members of the Nigerian Police Force.
In efforts to foster a harmonious relationship between Lagos SWAN and the NPF, the former chairmen, in the company of Oshundun, Salami,
Vice Chairman of Lagos SWAN/Super Falcons Media Officer;
Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, Guardian Newspaper Sports Editor Christian Okpara and a few others later paid a courtesy visit to the Area Commander in charge of Area C, ACP Oladunni Ayoola.
Other Lagos SWAN members in attendance were Femi Solaja of ThisDay newspaper; Pius Ayinor, former Sports Editor of Punch Newspaper; Dapo Sotiminu, former Sports Editor of New Telegraph, McAnthony Anaelechukwu, publisher of Community Watch Plus, George Aluo, former Editor of Champion Newspaper/Chairman of Nigeria National League (NNL); Sola Rogers, ED/CEO of Boom Radio and Jide Olaniran of TV360.
Press Release Signed By
Oni Afolabi, Acting Secretary General, Lagos SWAN.