*Describes SWAN recognition as a national honour By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON As the countdown to the Sports Writers Association of
*Describes SWAN recognition as a national honour
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As the countdown to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) 60th anniversary billed for Abuja draws nearer, a prominent figure and human rights activist in the country, Alhaji Yerima Shettima has expressed delight to be one of those that will grace the historic event.
Shettima expressed this, when he received a letter of invitation, presented to him by SWAN President, accompanied by other national and state executive at his office in Kaduna.
“I must confess to you that I’m overwhelmed to be honoured by SWAN because SWAN under your watch has done a lot and has still been doing a lot for the well-being of the country in terms of sports.
“And I must confess to you, I have not seen myself as part of those who will be nominated for such a big national award.
“But to God be the glory, here we are. I’m so glad and this will go a long way,” he said.
He therefore, vowed to be present at the event, all things being equal.
“In my life, it’s going to be a moment that I will continue to reflect on. This is beautiful.
“And in terms of whether you’re going to ask whether I’m going to be present, God willing, if I’m alive, and healthy, you can be assured that. I will be there In person, I’m not going to send anybody. I will be there myself,” he declared.
According to him, sports is something that deserves serious attention in the country, in view of its impact.
“What do i mean by that, we found ourselves in the society where the hope of our younger generation is almost being dashed off if not for sports today, there wouldn’t have been a country where there will be peace.
“No matter how we look at it and that’s why I keep saying, Nigeria at 65 is worth celebrating, and I repeatedly keep saying that because this sports of a thing has actually supported in making us remain as a country,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, SWAN President, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin informed his host that he was there to personally present an invitation letter to him ahead of the SWAN @60, billed for Abuja on October 30 and 31.
“I’m here with some few national and state officers to make a special presentation and an invitation to you.
“Your Excellency, we are here to make two presentations, one is a nomination for the SWAN National Meritorious Service Award and we are celebrating what we refer to as our Diamond Jubilee, so we are inviting you,” he said
He explained that SWAN was established in the year 1964 and SWAN is 60 years now since it was established.
“The celebration is kickstarting from the 28th, which will be the arrival of the national officers.
“On the 29th, we have the arrival of the full council, that is the secretaries and chairmen of all the state chapters, including FCT and on the 30th, we will be having some paper presentations, seminars and discussions, more or less like a sports summit.
“The Director General of the National Sports Commission will be making a paper presentation the wife of the Senate President will also be making a paper presentation, as well as others,” he informed.
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