SWAN Takes Far-Reaching Decisions During 2024 Full Council Meeting

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

At the end of the extensive and exhaustive deliberations at the Full Council,, the following resolutions were made

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.

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.
Full Council considered the purported wrongdoings leveled against President Isaiah Benjamin by some unregistered members of National Executive Committee (NEC), listened to his side of the story and absolved him of any form of culpability.

4b) Full council declared the allegations against the President as hateful, vengeful, in bad state, gross abuse of privilege and of no consequences.

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 misguided members of NEC had brought public embarrassment to the association, dented its corporate image which has rubbed it of immense benefits.

7) Full Council considered the activities of the following and suspended them from the association indefinitely for anti SWAN activities.

Bonny Nyong – Deputy President

Azuka Raph Chiemeka Vice-president South-South.

Ijeoma Nwante – Financial Secretary,

The following appointed members of NEC were relieved of their various positions:

Frankie Omonkhua – South-East VP

Lekan Ige – Deputy Secretary General,

Mansur Mohammed – North-West VP

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 condemned the shady handling of ID card registration and implementation in the past and non-remittance of percentages to states and called for better management of annual registration/renewal of membership processes.

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, and called on members to determine their leadership.
Full Council resolved that the tenure of the current SWAN statute is due for review and a committee be set up accordingly at the next Full Council.
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.
Full Council approved a positive review of SWAN relationship with NUJ and mandated the President/NEC to engage in further discussion that will smoothen relationship.
Full Council wished Ogun State a 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.
Full Council resolved that former President Honour Sirawoo should return all the property of SWAN in his possession including the certificate of registration and mandated the National Leadership to invoke relevant sections of SWAN Statute to recover same.
Full Council urged the President to act swiftly on indiscipline and/or any act of factionalisation in the some state or National level of the association in line with provisions of the SWAN Statute.
Full council frowned at illegal readership 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.
Full Council resolved for the dissolution of all factions of SWAN in Lagos State chapter and setting 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 on the FCT Chapter and urged him to sustain all efforts towards bringing the chapter under one umbrella.
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.
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.
Full Council called on the Sports Ministry to collaborate more with SWAN and reserve more slots for members of the association in subsequent international sporting competitions.
Full Council commended the Government and People of Kano State for playing a good host to the leadership of the association.