http://www.newsportng.com.ng One of the frontrunner for the presidency, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin has said that he will build on the legacies of past heroes, if he is elected as the next president of the association.
Isaiah gave the assurance on Monday in Kaduna, on the sideline of the National under-21 Female Volleyball team’s departure for Niger Republic, for the Africa Zone 3 Tournament, saying that he will hit the ground running immediately once he becomes the next president of SWAN come July 13, 2023.
While hailing the outgoing President, Sir Honour Sirawoo for uplifting the image of the association, he said that he will prioritize the welfare of members in financial terms, academics and all other aspects, that would consolidate on achievements of the outgoing President.
Isaiah who is the immediate past Chairman of SWAN, Kaduna Chapter and LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER Bureau Chief Kaduna State explained that the body, in consolidating the achievements of Sir Sirawoo, has a lot of lofty projects that would better the lot of members of the Association, however, noted that internal crisis had held the body back on the implementation of such projects .
He said, “when I am elected as the President of SWAN, I would hit the ground running, I am in a hurry to implement projects and ideas that would bring about the development of members of the body in financial terms, academics and all other aspects, that would consolidate on achievements of our amiable outgoing President.
“SWAN have lot of lofty ideas but for minor disagreements here and there, many of these projects could not be implemented to the letter .
“I intend to ensure that we get those projects working, to this end, I will visit all SWAN Chapters in all part of the country to know what projects we can help support,” he said.
On the issue of disagreement between members of SWAN on one hand, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the presidential front runner for SWAN said genuine consultations are ongoing with all members who are aggrieved and that in no distant time, there would be genuine reconciliation.
“I can assure you that genuine reconciliation talks are in progress and very soon, everything shall be resolved amicably, while relying on the SWAN statutes.
“I have listened to aggrieved individuals, I have spoken to virtually all stakeholders and we are almost reaching an understanding,” he assured.
“I couldn’t have succeeded as the Chairman of SWAN Kaduna, if the Excos and members had not cooperated with me.
“They supported me, brought good ideas and helped to implement these ideas and that is why we were successful, I will ensure that positive initiatives are brought on board” he added.