From Abubakar Abdullahi, in Lafia
The Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Nasarawa State wing, has appointed the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule as its grand patron.
Governor Sule was decorated as SWAN Grand Patron when members of the association paid him a courtesy call at the Government House in Lafia.
Accepting the fatherly position, Governor Sule thanked the leadership of the State’s SWAN for finding him worthy of the honour, and pledged his commitment to the Association.
He reiterated his administration’s readiness to carry along the association and stressed the need for members to work together for the progress of the state.
“We have great potentials in Nasarawa State in various endeavours, including in the sports sector,” he said.
On the request put forward by the SWAN National President, Comrade Benjamin Isaiah, for the state to host the SWAN National Executive Council Meeting, the Governor expressed happiness and appreciation on the proposal.
He stated: “I will be happy to host the SWAN NEC Meeting in Nasarawa State as it will help to expose the potentials we have in the State to the outside world,”
He said “hosting the SWAN NEC meeting is an advantage and opportunity to promote the State potential at almost no cost.”
Earlier in his address, Chairman of SWAN Nasarawa State Chapter, Comrade Smah George, congratulated the Governor on the promotion of Nasarawa United FC and FC Basira to the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season and Nigeria National League Season, respectively as well as the appointment of one of the Association’s Members, Eche Amos, into the Board of Nasarawa United FC.
“We appreciate Your Excellency for all the positive records you have been setting in the State and country at large.
“We want to express our gratitude to Your Excellency for appointing one of our very committed members, Eche Amos, into the Board of Nasarawa United FC.
“We are proud of him and his appointment is more than deserving as far as sports journalism and sports development are concerned in the State and beyond. His appointment is our appointment.”
“Your Excellency’s leadership, vision and commitment to sports development in Nasarawa State and Nigeria make you an ideal figure to serve as our GRAND PATRON.
“Your endorsement will significantly enhance our efforts in achieving our set goals as sports journalists and further project the achievements of your administration in the sports industry.
“We look forward to Your Excellency’s guidance and support to the Association, attend our events as Your Excellency’s schedules permit.
Lending his voice, National President of SWAN, Comrade Benjamin Isaiah, commended the Governor for all his supports to SWAN, Nasarawa State, and other major breakthroughs in sports in the State.
“It’s a great pleasure to be in this meeting which the Nasarawa State Chapter of SWAN invited both me and the National Secretary-General, Comrade Ikenna Okonkwo, to be part of.
“Suffice to say SWAN Nasarawa State Chapter is the first in Nigeria to invite a sitting SWAN President to its activities. This is also my first ever meeting with a sitting Governor since I assumed office as President about a year ago.
“We all know how difficult it is to have an audience with a Governor because of the demanding nature of the office.
“Thank you for the marvellous support to the Nasarawa State SWAN, especially your recent appointment of one of us, Mr. Eche Amos, into the Board of Nasarawa United FC.
“He has been of immense value to the Association from the National to the State levels.
“May I also plead with Your Excellency on the two requests made by the State SWAN for a bus and a Secretariat be accorded Your Excellency’s attention as these will be of immense support to the Association and its members.
The items being requested for will further boost their desire to propagate the State positively to the world.
“Furthermore, let me use this opportunity to equally appeal to Your Excellency to sponsor the next National Executive Council Meeting of SWAN in Nasarawa State. This comprises all the National Executives of the Association as well as representatives of the States’ Chapters.
“This will further open the vista for us to brainstorm on other areas of sports development in the State.
“I wish to encourage Your Excellency to continue with the good work you are doing in Nasarawa State and humanity in general.”
