The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, on Wednesday January 17, 2024 arrived Abidjan, capital of Cote d’ivoire as hostilities continue in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mr. Isaiah who touched down Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan shortly after noon had departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja earlier same day, aboard Cotevoir airline.
A press statement by the SWAN Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, confirmed that President Isaiah will among other things parley all Nigerian Sports Journalists covering AFCON in a bid to interface and find ways of ameliorating the challenges of his colleagues away from their country.
“First of all, I want to thank God Almighty for granting me and others on board safety to Abidjan. I have successfully settled down, ready for next line of actions, all geared towards finding ways to assist our colleagues do their work in a more conducive atmosphere.
“As a leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Sports Writers carry out their professional and constitutional duties without hitches,” the SWAN President said.
The number one Sports Writer in Nigeria then acknowledged the spirited efforts of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Sports Development, under the hardworking leadership of Senator John Owan Enoh as Minister in ensuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved backlog owed Super Eagles and other national team coaches as well as players’ allowances.
He also thumped up the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau as President for the vital role of giving Super Eagles necessary preparatory and participatory atmosphere suitable to thrive.
While expressing optimism that the country’s senior national team will surmount any challenge to pull through the group stage of the competition, enjoined Nigerians to continuously support them, always.
“On our part as sporting media, we will continue to give the team maximum support by ensuring fair report of their matches and other activities partnering their participation at the 2023 AFCON,” he said.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are scheduled to face Cote d’ivoire’s Elephants on Thursday in their second Group A duel inside Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe.
