By Bridget Ikyado
Makurdi – The Benue chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Friday in Makurdi elected a new executive committee to run its affairs for the next three years.
The new committee is headed by Akpera Nase of The Voice Newspaper, who was elected unopposed to take over from Emmanuel Uja who had served out his term as Chairman.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Donald Kumum of Champion Newspapers and Cepas Iorhemen of the New Telegraph were respectively elected Secretary and Assistant Secretary, also unopposed.
Bridget Ikyado of NAN was also elected unopposed the Financial Secretary, alongside Patrick Omora of Radio Benue who equally emerged Treasurer unopposed.
NAN reports that the five-man Executive Committee emerged after the screening of all candidates.
Speaking after the elections, the SWAN Vice-President (North Central), DanMusa Mohammed who supervised the elections, commended members of the state chapter for the zeal shown in sports writing.
He urged the new Executive Committee to pursue ideas and programmes which would enhance sports writing in Nigeria as well as enhance sports development.
Speaking also, the Secretary of SWAN Nasarawa State Chapter, Emmanuel Cheke, praised the Benue SWAN members for their steadfastness in reporting sports in the state.
Equally, the Benue NUJ Chairman, Chris Atsaka, lauded Benue SWAN for the tremendous support to journalism profession in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the newly-elected Chairman promised to continue Uja’s good work.
He also urged all members of the chapter to practice with professionalism in mind and ensure hard work so that the level of sports journalism in Benue would be uplifted.
Nase assured that he would ensure a continued peaceful co-existence among members, and expressed the hope that SWAN would continue to attain global recognition.
“I also want to appeal for adequate publicity of sporting activities in the state,’’ he said.