SWAN FCT Chapter Gets New Executive
Emmanuel Alfred
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has elected new Executive Officers in different positions for the next three years.
They were elected in a peaceful Re-run Elections of the Chapter, held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Media Centre, of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Seasoned Sports journalist, Mr. Kelechi Onwudiwe of Classic FM was elected the Chairman, Mr Victor Okoye of the News Agency of Nigeria emerged as Vice-Chairman, while Mr. Samuel Ahmadu of SavidNews.com emerged as the Secretary.
Niyi Busari of BSN Sports emerged as Financial Secretary, Miss Jean-Frances Nweze of TV Continental (TVC) was elected the Treasurer, Joshua Friday of Radio Nigeria, Assistant Secretary, while Joan Iwuchukwu of Precise Post was elected Welfare Officer.
The Elective Congress, which had 145 voters was supervised by National SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin, and its General Secretary, Ikenna Okonkwo.
Friday’s Re-run Elections saw Onwudiwe poll 77 votes to pip Tolulope Oguntimehin of ITV, who scored 68 votes to the Chairmanship position in the rerun, after both were tied on 64 votes a fortnight ago.
In another dramatic contest, Nweze won the Treasurer position with 73 votes, edging Taofeek Lawal of Tribune, who scored 72 votes after both were also tied on 68 votes in the fierce contest held two weeks ago.
Earlier in the April 26 elections, Mr Joshua had emerged as the Assistant Secretary as he polled 104 votes to defeat Nonso Arinzechukwu, who got 32 votes, while Ms Iwuchukwu clinched the welfare officer post after she polled 88 votes to beat Busayo Olowookere, who garnered 48 votes.
Speaking after the election, the National President of SWAN, Mr Benjamin Isaiah expressed happiness over the Chapter’s successful reunification and urged the new FCT leadership to embark on genuine reconciliation.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Mr Kelechi Onwudiwe assured that his leadership will prioritize inclusivity, welfare, and development of all while thanking the National SWAN and SWANECO team for the successful reunification of the Chapter.
“We are all going to work together to build this association, and nobody should harbour any fear about my new leadership. I am delighted to have emerged and thankful to everyone. I want to thank the National body for midwifing this process – from reconciliation to our election,” the veteran broadcaster said.
“I want to also thank the SWANECO team and the entire Congress for the hitch-free election. We are one body – both those who voted for me and those who didn’t. Nobody will be left out. We are genuinely going to be reunited as FCT SWAN to plan a better future.”
The inauguration of the new FCT SWAN Exco was wrapped up with the handover of the association’s assets to the new exco by the immediate past Chairman, Mr Ndubueze Chidoka.
