By Raphael Ekpang
The national body of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has suspended one it members Mohammad Mansour Ibrahim (Kano State broadcast) from all SWAN related activities.
The national officers of the association rose from their emergency national executive council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja with the announcement of the suspension.
In the communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Benjamin Isaiah (President) and(Ikenna Okonkwo (General Secretary), SWAN NEC accused Mohammad Mansour Ibrahim engaging in persistent gross misconduct and unholy acts in the recent times which are capable of putting the Professional Body to disrepute.
“NEC observed that Mansour, a Kano State-based broadcaster, has further engaged in various anti-professional actions, not minding that he is a member of the current SWAN, which negates how a leader is expected to conduct himself at all times.
“NEC while noting that Mansour’s suspension is in line with SWAN statutory provisions, asked him to return every SWAN Property/Document in his possession to the National Secretariat immediately as the suspension also excludes him from NEC, Zonal position in North-west as well as any form of participation or affiliation with the Association at all Levels of its composition including in Kano and the entire North-west till further notice,”the statement reads.
In another development, NEC approved the appointment of Alhaji Rilwanu Idris Malikawa as SWAN National Ex-Officio after his nomination by the SWAN President. Alhaji Malikawa was also tasked with the responsibility of coordinating SWAN activities in the North-west region in the interim.
NEC also constituted a three-man Independent Investigation Committee led by SWAN Vice President North-central Mallam Olayinka Owolewa. SWAN National Ex-Officio Alhaji Usman Abbas Osculator and Mr. Ikem Asika are members of the Committee with a task to carry out their duties without fear or favour in line with SWAN statute.
The National SWAN NEC unanimously reviewed its activities since assumption into office about four months ago and explicitly commended its President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin for his dexterity and pro-activeness in handling the affairs of Sports Writing Professionals in Nigeria.
NEC at the meeting encouraged all SWAN members to continuously exhibit high level of professionalism in going about their duties while appealing that challenges encountered in the line of duty because of the prevailing economic situation in the country should not deter anyone as the leadership will from time to time galvanise Stakeholders for future gainful partnerships.
Present at the meeting – Isaiah Benjamin (President), Azuka Chiemeka (Vice President South-South), Ayodeji Ogunsakin (Vice President, South-West), Olayinka Owolewa (Vice President, North-Central), Ahmed Kagan Amshi (Vice President, North-East), Augustine Ajayi (National Welfare Officer), Mr. Usman Abbas Shehu (National Ex-Officio), Ikenna Okonkwo (Secretary-General)
Absent with Apology – Mr. Olalekan Ige (Deputy Secretary General).
