Concerned stakeholders of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter have voiced their concerns over the prolonged leadership crisis affecting the chapter, once a beacon of sports journalism in Nigeria.
Led by former chairmen Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mr. Tony Ubani, the stakeholders group is determined to collaborate with other well-meaning Nigerians, associations, and groups to restore peace to Lagos SWAN. Ilaboya remarked on Tuesday in Lagos that the current situation, where two individuals claim leadership of the chapter, undermines its esteemed history as the oldest and most dynamic association under the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Ilaboya emphasized that the ongoing conflict, unresolved for too long, is damaging the credibility of sports journalism in Nigeria, especially as Lagos hosts the largest number of sports media outlets and members nationwide. He expressed concern over members’ inability to access the association’s secretariat at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere, which now remains abandoned and deteriorating.
“Members now linger around the National Stadium complex, Lagos, instead of enjoying the amenities at the SWAN secretariat building. The prolonged crisis has left the secretariat desolate and dilapidated,” Ilaboya lamented.
Tony Ubani, another former chairman and Group Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, highlighted the significant contributions from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Lagos State government, and other organizations that donated land and funds for the secretariat’s construction. He noted the sacrifices made by Lagos SWAN members over the past 40 years to build a peaceful and vibrant association, all of which are now at risk.
“That’s why we have come together as the Concerned Stakeholders of Lagos SWAN to ensure the association’s return to peace,” Ubani stressed.
Other committed members of the Concerned Stakeholders Group include Mr. Pat Omorodion, Assistant Group Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Adekunle Salami, Group Sports Editor of New Telegraph Newspapers; Mr. Chris Okpara, Group Sports Editor of Guardian Newspapers; Mr. Dapo Sotuminu, former Group Sports Editor of Compass Newspapers; Mr. George Aluo, former Group Sports Editor of the Sun Newspapers and current Chairman of the Nigeria National League; Blessing Nwosu of Silverbird TV; and Gloria Adeshi of SuperSports.
