Kogi SWAN Advocacy Tour: NTA Lokoja MD Assures SWAN of Adequate Partnership

By: Joshua Adinoyi

As part of efforts to revive the activities of the Kogi State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the body has embarked on an advocacy visit Heads of Ministry’s and parastatals within the State.

The General Manager of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Lokoja, Mallam Abdurasheed Ibrahim, while receiving the team in his Office described the body as the force needed to drive sports to the next level in the State.

Mallam Ibrahim noted that unity of purpose was important for any organization to achieve its dream (s), stressing there was need for the members of SWAN in the State to continue to work in one accord.

He said Sports coverage in the State needed improvement while charging sports Journalists on the need for them to live above board to change the trend.

The General Manager was optimistic that with the zeal and and age bracket of members making up the team in the State, things will change for better, bringing sports reportage to the doorsteps of the people of the State.

Mallam Ibrahim assured the Association of continuous partnership at reviving sports in the State, adding that Kogi State was blessed with youths who are skillful in various sports and are ready to make the State proud with their talents.

On his part, the State Chairman of SWAN, Aturu Bishop, said the body was in the GM’s Office to intimate him about the activities of the Group and as well seek for a level plain ground for more sports reportage.

Bishop explained that SWAN was a body saddled with the responsibility of driving Sports development in the country, stressing that the State Chapter of the Group will continue to live up to expectations.

“SWAN is back in Kogi and we are ready to work to ensure full sports reportage to meet the yearnings of the numerous populace in the State

“As a body, we have quality sports Journalists from various Media Houses in the State that are doing very well, all we need to do is to put out ideas together and ensure quality reportage of the various sporting activities taking place within and outside the State”

The Chairman, who noted that NTA remains the oldest media House in Nigeria if not in Africa that has brought light sports reportage, opined there was need for the spirit to be revived once again in the Station as it will go a long way at encouraging the younger generation to take career in the Sporting sector.

He noted that the current crop of leadership of SWAN in State are set to the fore an ideal SWAN, stressing that partnership with Media Houses will go a long way at bring to reality the lofty plans of the Association.

Bishop commended the Management of NTA Lokoja for the warm reception accorded the team, saying the body will wisely use the opportunity given it by the Station to the good of all.

The State SWAN Chairman called on all who are already into sports reportage and those that has flair for sports to join the Association to give sports coverage and reportage a facelift in the State.

Sports Journalists from Grace 95.5FM, Confluence Radio 94.1fm, Leadership Newspaper, made up the SWAN team on the advocacy visit.