*salutes president on birthday


Following a failed coup by some five members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), against its lawfully elected president, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, the Kaduna State Chapter has called for sanctioning of those involved.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its chairman and secretary, Shehu Abdullahi and Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, made available to newsmen on Tuesday January 9, 2024.

"We were shocked to wake up today to a coup attempt by four members of SWAN NEC, purpotedly suspending our lawfully elected president, Isaiah Benjamin from office.

" The jockers, four in number, went for a jamboree in Uyo, remotely sponsored by the Akwa Ibom FA Normalisation Committee chairman, to claim leadership of our great association. This is unacceptable and the weightiest sanction should be metted on those bent on rubbishing SWAN," the statement said.

Kaduna SWAN wondered how the statutes of the association would be taken into disrepute, warning that if they are allowed unpunished, same could reoccur in future.

They advised all well meaning Nigerians and sports lovers to disregard those they described as "jokers" stressing that Isaiah Benjamin who has wasted no time since assuming office, should be allowed to continue his good works, which includes uniting the divided association he inherited from his predecessor.

It therefore, demanded that, Augustine Ajayi, Azuka Chiemeka,
Ijeoma Peter Nwante, Olalekan Ige
and Otuekong Bonny Nyong be sanctioned accordingly, in line with the statutes.

"We also use this opportunity to wish our president Isaiah Benjamin a happy birthday as marked on January 8.