COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF 2024 SWAN FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT GOLDEN LUXURY HOTEL, KANO, TAGGED “KANO 2024” BETWEEN MAY 1 AND MAY 3,2024
After opening ceremony and deliberations, the following formed part of the Resolutions at the Full Council Meeting.
1) Guests in their various messages of goodwill commended SWAN under the leadership of President Isaiah Benjamin for its role in the development of sports in Nigeria and reiterated their readiness to continue to support and partner with the noble association.
2) Full Council confirmed and regretted the abuse of power and rascality in the build up to July 2023 Triennial Delegate Congress in Omok which led to the arbitrary disqualification of some aspirants in that election by the Honour Sirawo-led administration and commended the affected persons for the maturity with which they managed the injustice.
3. Full Council considered the purported wrongdoings leveled against President Isaiah Benjamin by some unregistered members of National Executive Committee (NEC) after listening to his side of the accusations and absolved him of any form of culpability.
4) Full council cleared the President of hateful, vengeful, gross abuse of privilege and declared allegations against him of no consequences, null and void.
5. Afterwards, Full Council unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Isaiah Benjamin as President of the Association and the entire NEC as presently constituted.
6) Full council agreed that the needless crisis orchestrated by some members of NEC had brought public embarrassment to the association, dented its corporate image which has rubbed it of immense benefits.
7) Full Council having considered the activities of three elected NEC members, suspended them indefinitely, just as it also approves the relieve of three others appointed into the leadership of the association of their duties.
The indefinitely suspended NEC members are;
– Bonny Nyong – Deputy President
– Azuka Chiemeka – Vice-president South-South
– Ijeoma Peter-Nwante Financial Secretary,
Also, the following appointees by the President/NEC of the association were also relieved of their various positions…
– Frankie Omonkhua – VP, South-East VP
– Olalekan Ige – Deputy Secretary-General
– Mansur Mohammed – VP North-West
8) Full Council commended the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike, for his continued support to SWAN activities and Sports development and affirmed that he is indeed Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports.
9) Full Council also condemned the shady handling of ID card registration and implementation in the past and non-remittance of percentages to states and called for better ways of handling both annual registration/renewal of membership.
10. Full Council relieved Dr. Honour Sirawoo of his position as Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, approved the expansion of the size of BoT from three to seven, while calling on members to determine their leadership.
11. Full Council resolved that the tenure of the current SWAN statute is due for review and a committee be set up accordingly at next Full Council.
12. Full Council resolved that it is a criminal offense for anybody or group outside the Isaiah Benjamin-led NEC to use SWAN for any personal or unofficial Communication.
13. Full Council approved a positive review of SWAN relationship with NUJ and mandated the President/NEC to engage in further discussion that will smothen relationship as it used to be
14. Full Council wished Ogun State successful hosting of the forthcoming National Sports Festival, while calling on the Local Organising Committee to make adequate provisions for all participants including Sports Journalists.
15. Full Council resolved that former President Honour Sirawoo should return all the property of SWAN in his possession including the certificate of registration.
16. Full Council urged the SWAN President to act swiftly on indiscipline and/or any act of factionalisation at the some state or National level of the association.
17. Full council frowned at illegal claims springing up in Gombe, Bayelsa and Edo States and affirmed that Mr Hakilu Mohammed Feli is the recognised Chairman in Gombe, Mr. Loveday Herbert as interim Chairman in Bayelsa, while calling on Edo State to conclude registration and conduct election that will usher in its substantive leadership.
18. Full Council resolved the dissolution of all factions of SWAN in Lagos State chapter and set-up of a harmonised caretaker committee to make way for a proper election. Just as it commended the steps taken so far by the President in the FCT Chapter and urged him to ensure him to sustain all efforts at bringing the chapter under one umbrella.
19. Full Council congratulated Finidi George on his appointment as Super Eagles coach and charged him to justify the confidence reposed on him while urging the Nigeria Football Federation to provide the enabling environment for him to succeed.
20. Full Council commended Nigeria athletes at the recently held 13th African Games in Ghana and urged the Ministry of Sports and Nigeria Olympic Committee to intensify preparations for Paris Olympics.
21. Full Council called on the Sports Ministry to collaborate more with SWAN and reserve more slots for its members of the association in subsequent international competitions sporting competitions remain media event.
22. Full Council commended the Government and People of Kano State for playing a good host to the leadership of the association.
Communiqué Drafting Committee
Chimezie Anaso – Chairman
Segun Giwa – Secretary
Chinwe Nnadozie – Memb er
Mustapha Musa – Member
Ikenna Okonkwo – Secretary General, SWAN
