Sports

Edo SWAN Gets New Executives

Published

12 months ago

September 26, 2024

L-R: Kehinde Osagede, Chairman; Moses Idahosa, Secretary; Adeleke Ayoola, Assistant Secretary and Nosa Igunma, Treasurer, during the inauguration at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The Edo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), on Thursday, inaugurated a new executive board to drive the affairs of the Association for the next three years.

The elective congress which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s media centre, was supervised by the SWAN South-East Zonal Vice President, Mr. Asika Ikemefuna.

Elected into the executive board, Kehinde Osagede of the Observer Newspaper as Chairman; Moses Idahosa of the Nigerian Tribune as Secretary; Adeleke Ayoola of Silverbird’s Rhythm FM as the Assistant Secretary and Nosa Igunma of Vibes FM as the Treasurer.

They all emerged unopposed.

The SWAN South-East Vice President who represented the the SWAN president and consequently delivered his message stated: “The president sent his greetings to you all and asked me to wish you well in your journey.”

While praying for the success of the newly sworn-in executives, the Vice President advised the new executive members to be active and responsible in their jobs.

He also advised the members to push their support behind the Exco for them to excel and move the association forward.

The SWAN President advises members to get their AIPS membership card which is very important to to help them achieve a lot in the profession.

Earlier in his handing-over speech, the caretaker committee chairman, Aliu Ozorovia, appreciated key individuals who have been part of the journey so far.

“I see today as my freedom day because in the last 10 months, I have seen a lot, but you all have been there for me.”

He thanked the national leaders, the state’s leaders, and other individuals who have been able to comport themselves.”

He specifically appreciated the General Manager of KU FM, Saliu Ibrahim, for his sportsmanship and professionalism.

The newly inaugurated chairman, Kehinde Osagede, in his acceptance speech, thanked every stakeholder and the members present, especially the caretaker committee led by Aliu Ozioruva

He thanked the members for their endurance, understanding and the trust placed in the new executive to have them come to a place of service.

The chairman promised to operate an open tenure where members would be allowed to make suggestions to contribute to the development of the Association.

Also present at the Congress were the South-South Zonal Secretary, Mr Joseph Isokpehi; the NUJ chairman, Mr Festus Alenkhe, who was represented by the Secretary of Edo NUJ, Mr Andy Egbon.

Sports

FULL LIST: Nigerian Boxer Efe Ajagba Breaks Into World’s Top 10 Heavyweights

Published

10 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

Nigerian heavyweight boxer Efe Ajagba has been ranked among the top 10 fighters in the world by The Ring magazine.

In its latest rankings updated on Thursday, Ajagba secured the No. 10 spot in the prestigious list, widely regarded as the sport’s most respected independent ratings.

The 30-year-old, who holds a professional record of 20 wins, one loss, and one draw with 14 knockouts, joins an elite lineup.

The heavyweight division is currently led by Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the champion’s position, with Britain’s Tyson Fury ranked first among contenders.

New Zealand’s Joseph Parker and Germany’s Agit Kabayel occupy the top three positions.

Ajagba’s inclusion comes after a string of impressive performances that have reignited his world title ambitions.

His most recent victory solidified his status as one of the leading contenders from Africa in the heavyweight division.

The Ring magazine, founded in 1922, updates its ratings monthly based on results, performance, and track record, with input from boxing journalists and historians worldwide.

The development makes Ajagba the only Nigerian currently ranked in the heavyweight top 10.

Below is the full updated heavyweight ranking by The Ring:

Sports

SWAN Orders Nationwide Boycott Of NFF Activities

Published

1 day ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has announced a nationwide boycott of all activities related to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, including the Federation’s upcoming Annual General Assembly, AGA, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The directive, issued on Wednesday by the leadership of the association, follows what SWAN described as the NFF’s “deliberate and persistent exclusion” of the Association from the Congress, the Federation’s highest decision-making body.

In a statement jointly signed by the SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and the Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, the Association condemned the NFF’s actions as “unacceptable, retrogressive, and an affront to the sporting media’s role in national football development.”

“The media is a critical tripod in the growth of sports globally. SWAN, as the professional body coordinating sports journalism in Nigeria, has consistently engaged with the NFF on the need to restore our rightful place in its Congress. Yet, while the Federation claims to be expanding its Congress, it continues to sideline us—a move that is both short-sighted and detrimental to Nigerian football,” the statement read.

SWAN accused the NFF leadership of adopting a divisive approach to football administration, warning that the continued decline in the nation’s football fortunes is a reflection of ongoing maladministration.

“Despite enormous financial and institutional support from the Federal Government, state governments, and private sponsors, Nigeria’s football continues to nosedive.

“It is time to put a decisive end to this dangerous trend. Nigeria cannot afford to watch its most cherished sport deteriorate under avoidable circumstances,” the statement read.

Effective immediately, all SWAN members across the country are instructed to cease coverage and promotion of any NFF-related activity.

“A task force will be set up to ensure strict enforcement of this directive. Simultaneously, the Association will begin a thorough investigation and public exposure of the maladministration and backward practices now synonymous with the Federation’s operations practices that have contributed to Nigeria’s repeated World Cup qualification failures,” the statement added.

SWAN reaffirmed its position as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football and vowed to resist any attempt to marginalize the sporting media.

“The exclusion of SWAN from the NFF Congress is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated. We stand resolute in defending the integrity and rightful role of the sporting media in the Nigerian football ecosystem,” the statement concluded.

Sports

I Don’t Hate Ronaldo, Messi Is A Better Player – Wayne Rooney

Published

1 day ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

Former England striker, Wayne Rooney, has insisted he does not hate Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, he insisted that Lionel Messi is a better footballer.

Rooney and Ronaldo were at United together between 2004 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League.

“I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played and taking players on and whatever,” Rooney said.

“Ronaldo’s a killer and people think because I’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, I don’t like him or speak down on him.”

Rooney played in the United team that lost two Champions League finals against Messi’s Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.