The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has rolled out red carpet in celebration of it’s immediate past National President Sir Dr Honour Kuru Sirawoo, on the completion of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46, and graduation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State at the weekend.
The Theme of SEC 46 was “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities”.
The intensive academic journey which started on February 20, 2024, was rounded-off one year after with Nigeria’s Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferring Member of Nigeria Institute (MNI) status on Sir Dr Sirawoo, alongside other 95 participants drawn from the Federal and State Civil Service, Armed Forces, Police, Para-Military Services, and the Private Sector.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, on Wednesday congratulated Sir Sirawoo for his dedication and steadfast disposition which enabled him to successfully pull through amidst challenges which he might have faced in attaining another educational heights.
He said, “The President emeritus deserves all the accolades in taking part in the long academic pursuit which has ensured that he finished gloriously. I have personally known NIPSS Kuru, over the years, as an excellent advanced academic centre.
“The revered institute has most of Nigeria’s brightest brains pass through its tutoring. Infact, it’s a place that every aspiring leader, industry player, manager at the highest level has to pass through.
“So, I sincerely congratulate Sir Dr Honour Sirawoo who has now been confirmed with MNI status. I also pray that he attains the highest level of his aspiration in life.”
Sharing a brief experience and appreciation, Sir Sirawoo said, “My Individual Research Project (IRP) was on Peace building and Political Stability in Rivers State: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects. I was a member of Study Group 2 and part of the group’s Four-Man Writing Team. I was also part of a 14-member SEC 46 Presidential Parley Writing Team.
“I was a member of a Nine-Man Roadmap Committee for the synthesisation of SEC 46 Parley Report. I was Chairman of the Implementation Committee of SEC 46, 2024 Legacy Project and Winner of the Director General’s Golf Championship for participants of SEC 46, 2024.
“I, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude, express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency for the opportunity to be part of this high-powered capacity-building programme. I am now better informed and strategically equipped with valuable lessons learnt for greater service delivery to Rivers State.”
Sir Sirawoo, was a Permanent Secretary in Rivers State before going to NIPSS and is a Technocrat, an Administrator, a Philanthropist, a Leader, a Teacher, a Bridge Builder, who had bagged PhD in Mass Communication, and served as SWAN National President between 2016 and 2023.
Ikenna Okonkwo
Secretary-General, SWAN
Wednesday March 5, 2025
