COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) MEETING OF THE SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (SWAN) HELD VIRTUALLY ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024.

 

The meeting was presided over by the President, Otuekong Bonny Nyong, 

NEC adopted and deliberated on the report submitted by the Independent Investigative Committee (IIC) set up to look into the alleged infractions against Mr Isaiah Benjamin.

After extensive clause-by-clause deliberations, the NEC resolved as follows:

1. Notes and accepts overwhelmingly the recommendations of the Committee wherein it stated that:

a) In the circumstance, it became clear that Mr. Isaiah Benjamin could not be absolved of blames in the situation that currently plagues the Association, which in turn indicates a failure of leadership.

b) Consequently, the Committee finds him culpable and lacking in maturity to manage the office of the President of SWAN.

 *And formally declares Isaiah Benjamin impeached as the President of SWAN.* 

2. NEC calls on Isaiah Benjamin to hand over all properties of the Association in his possession within 7 days to the Administrative Secretary. 

3. NEC debunks the purported termination of Mr Gabriel Nwanetanya and Oluwaseun Ajayi-Obe's appointments as National Ex-Officio and NEC members as authored by Ikenna Okonkwo. Both officers remain bonafide officers and members of NEC.

4. NEC takes special notice of the conduct of the leadership of the Kano State chapter of the Association and warns against reoccurrence, urges the VP of North West to put a special surveillance on Kano chapter. 

5. NEC cautions the Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo and some chapters' chairmen against conduct capable of bringing the Association into disrepute. 

6. NEC approves the appointment of Gara Gombe as the Deputy President and Farouk Bello as National Ex Officio.

7. NEC calls on the Vice Presidents to take firm control of their zones and ensure elections are conducted as at when due in line with the Statute. 

8. NEC calls on States to mobilize their members for the 2024 registration and apply the provisions of the Statute in their operational activities. 

9. NEC commends the Independent Investigative Committee for doing a thorough job despite threats and intimidation. It assured that their sacrifice would be written in the sands of time. 

E-signed 

Communiqué Drafting Committee 

Ijeoma Peter Nwante 

Chairman 

Austin Ajayi

Member

Seun Ajayi-Obe 

Member

Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim 

Secretary 

Authenticated by:

Olalekan Ige 

Deputy Secretary General