By Queen Kunde
The Taraba State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has elected new Excos to lead the association for the next three years.
The newly elected officials include Sani Suleiman of FRCN as Chairman, Charles Akpeji of the Guardian Newspaper as Secretary, and Ruth Rimamsikwe as Treasurer,
Jude Gandu was appointed by the new Chairman as Vice Chairman, Mansura Sadiq Moyoyo as Welfare Officer, and Nahum Sule as Financial Secretary as enshrined in the Statute of SWAN.
Speaking at the event, the SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, represented by the Vice President from the North East Zone, Ahmed Amshi, urged the newly elected officials to work diligently to promote sports in the state.
The outgoing chairman of the association, Joachim Dangana Bandawa, highlighted various achievements during his tenure, including the organization of an Award Night and the establishment of good relationships with other unions such as the NUJ.
The SWANECO Chairman, Sabo John Yakubu, emphasized the importance of membership registration and revalidation, stating that the committee followed the Statute of SWAN throughout its work.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Sani Sulaiman of FRCN, pledged to build on the achievements of the previous executive committee and encouraged members to remain committed, united, and cooperative.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his developmental strive to transform the state and urged him to revive the Taraba FC and the Taraba Queens as it will enhance sporting activities in the state.
Several SWAN veterans, including the former National Deputy President, Abubakar Sadiq Moyoyo, and the National Ex-Officio, Abbas Shehu, the National Welfare Officer, Austin Ajayi, as well as one-time Secretary of SWAN Taraba, Tanko Bauka congratulated the new executives and urged them to propel the association to greater heights.
They also commended the SWANECO Chairman, Sabo John Yakubu, the Secretary, Femi Bolaji, and Linda Gwana who served as a member for a job well done.
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council, Mathew Eliud Jen, represented by the Financial Secretary of the Council, Sylvanus Viashima, the General Manager of Gift FM Jalingo, Alkasim Bala, and the Chairman of the State NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Gabriel Yough, all called on the new executive committee to meet expectations and initiate sporting activities in the state.
They also appealed to the state government to invest in the sports sector, emphasizing the growing significance of sports as a lucrative business globally.