Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) are to collaborate in effective sports reportage in the state.
The Director General of EBBC, Chief Tony Nwizi, made the declaration on Thursday when the new executive of SWAN, Ebonyi Chapter, paid him a courtesy call in his office.
Nwizi, the Immediate Past State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the corporation will assist SWAN especially with the current increase in sporting activities in the state.
“I urge SWAN members to promote peace and increase coverage of sports at the grassroots.
“SWAN has contributed immensely to the development of sports in Ebonyi and should be given all the needed encouragement to excel.”
The EBBC Chief noted that SWAN’s role has become more critical with the state government’s radical repositioning of the sports sector.
“The state currently has a football team for the first time in 18 years which is performing creditably in the Nigeria National League (NNL) series.
“Its team recently won the state Presiding Federation Cup as total football action, with inherent glamour, has returned to the state.
“This, among other sporting strides, showcases Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to enhance the wellbeing of youths through sports,” he said.
He pledged the corporation’s assistance towards the successful organisation of the forthcoming SWAN week, urging the executive to provide it with plans for the event.
The State SWAN Chairman, Ndubuisi Nwogha, thanked the EBBC official for the warm reception and assured him of a viable working relationship.
“The organistion, under this new executive, has been re-positioned to play critical roles in repositioning sports in the state and beyond.
“We are aligning with the state governor’s Peoples Charter of Needs mantra in the area of sports and general youth development.
“We are happy to announce that within a short period of operation, peace has been enshrined in the association, oiling the wheels of progress.”
The Emeritus Chairman of the association, Chukwuemeka Opara, pledged adequate guidance from elders to ensure that the new executive attains set goals.
