Sirawo Reveals Why Isuguzo-Led NUJ Is Desperate To Muscle SWAN
Honour Sirawo, President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has for the first time revealed why Mr Chris Isuguzo- led Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is desperate to ground sports writing in the country.
Sir Sirawoo who spoke at the SWAN FCT Congress in Abuja during the weekend said his (Sirawo) refusal to support Isiguzo’s desperate hold on NUJ leadership was the reason the embattled outgoing NUJ President has laboured to spread falsehood SWAN.
Sirawo explained that he played key roles in the emergence of Isiguzo as NUJ President based on the firm promise he made to run for one term of three years, complete the term of former holder Wahab Odusile, and return the NUJ leadership to the North, in line with a time-honoured agreement between practitioners in the northern and southern part of the country.
He disclosed that Isiguzo however reneged on the agreement to run for one term soon after emerging as president of the union, action he said was at odds with principles.
The SWAN National leader also explained that SWAN has never been an appendage of the NUJ being a professional platform for sportswriters in the country, way back in the 60s when the bodies were formed.
He said that contrary to falsehoods being peddled about the official registration of SWAN, Sirawo said the action followed due process and that the law under which SWAN operates as a professional body is drawn from the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), unlike the NUJ which is basically a Trade Union.
Sir Sirawo also revealed that several attempts by the outgoing NUJ President to muscle SWAN leadership were borne out of greed and selfish interest.
“It’s on record that the reasons for registering SWAN are clearly for operational and administrative efficiency and convenience if the association. SWAN which is a professional body for Sports Writers had encountered challenges in carrying out most of its official engagements (both in Nigeria and internationally) due to non-registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Several challenges have occurred in our attempts to carry out administrative duties because of the registration. How can we be running a noble association like ours without bank accounts? Are we wiser than Bank officials who are insisting on the right thing before we are registered?”
“Even when we tried to access the proposed land space for our national secretariat promised us by the Federal Capital Territory Administration some years back, we couldn’t then because this registration was part of the requirements.”
“Also, our affiliate body AIPS had asked sports bodies to ensure that they fulfil national registration requirements in each of the countries where they operate.”
It is for this reason SWAN approached a sister organization, he said.
