The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter has passed a vote of confidence in the Debo Oshundun-led Executive Committee to remain in office and serve out their term in office.
This was contained in a communique of an Emergency Congress of SWAN held at its secretariat, National Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos, on June 30, 2022.
108scoop.com reports that the congress said the Debo Oshundun-led Exco, duly elected in an election observed by the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council should continue to steer the affairs of the association in the State.
“There is no vacuum in Lagos SWAN’s Executive Committee, the Caretaker Committee set up by one Honour Sirawoo, a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Rivers State is null and void,’’ the congress said.
The Congress, however, ordered and approved the immediate sack of Mr Richard Dawodu as the Association’s Administrative Secretary, saying that the EXCO has been tasked to find a suitable and qualified replacement.
“The Congress ordered the immediate return of missing documents and other personal effects from the Chairman’s office carted away by the impostors.
“Association’s Public Address System missing; ii) Chairman’s documents missing;
Our gardener’s Shawama grilling machine is missing,’’ the group stated.
The Congress, however, thanked all security agencies for their intervention.
“The Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Security (DSS) were advised to shun any attempt by any group to use them as instruments of intimidation. They should allow the case before a competent court of law to run its full course.
“That a Judge has been assigned the matter in Industrial Court, Ikoyi and the date for hearing will be communicated in due course,’’ SWAN said.
The Congress also moved that the Caretaker Committee without court order or injunction should from now on stay clear of the Lagos SWAN Secretariat or face the full wrath of the law.
It directed that the Secretariat of the group be made open and that all members should feel free and go about their businesses.
The Congress thanked the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his fatherly role and contribution to sports development and Sport Journalists in the State.
It commended the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) headed by Mr Shola Aiyepeku for adding value to grassroots sports development and for being good partners to Sports Writers in Lagos State.
SWAN frowned at the vandalism/destruction and deplorable state of the Secretariat since the invasion by the so-called Caretaker Committee in February.
