Anambra SWAN Re-elects Anaso, Ndeke, Sets Three-Year Agenda for Sports Journalism Excellence

By Our Reporter

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State Chapter, has re-elected Chimezie Anaso of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Chairman and Uche Ndeke of Radio Nigeria as Secretary for another three-year term.

The election, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, also saw the return of other members of the incumbent executive, signalling continuity in the association’s leadership.

Following the election, the SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, called on sports journalists to prioritise grassroots sports activities and uphold professionalism in their reporting.

Benjamin, who spoke through the SWAN Vice President for the South-East Zone, Ikem Asika, commended the executive for its performance during its first tenure and urged members to raise the bar in the years ahead.

He emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership, urging the executive to ensure that every member has a place in the association’s programmes and activities.

Benjamin also praised the Anambra chapter for projecting the state positively at the national level through effective administration and grassroots sports reportage.

He urged the returning officials to consolidate their achievements and give greater attention to sporting activities at the grassroots, where emerging talents often need media visibility to attract recognition and opportunities.

The election returned the following officials, Mr. Chimezie Anaso of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Chairman, Mr. Uche Ndeke of Radio Nigeria, as Secretary, and Pamel Eboh as Vice Chairman. Other elected officials are Marvelous Ezenwa of Kpakpando FM (Treasurer),
Mmaduabuch Onwumelu of Fides Newspaper (Assistant Secretary) and Ifeanyi Okonkwo (Welfare Officer).

Presenting certificates of return to the successful candidates, Chairman of the SWAN Electoral Committee, Emmanuel Ndukuba, explained the legal basis for their return.

Ndukuba cited Section 12D of the association’s statute, stating that candidates who run unopposed are to be returned elected.

The explanation clarified the electoral procedure that facilitated the return of the incumbent officials.

Meanwhile, a former Vice President of SWAN in the South-East Zone, Chigozie Chukwuleta, commended the Anambra executive for what he described as purposeful leadership.

He expressed optimism that the team would achieve more in the new tenure and prayed for God’s guidance as the officials continued their service to sports journalism.

In his acceptance remarks, re-elected Chairman Chimezie Anaso thanked the national and zonal leadership of SWAN for their support and encouragement of sports journalists across Nigeria.

He pledged to build on the executive’s previous achievements and take the association to greater heights over the next three years.

The new tenure presents an opportunity for the Anambra chapter to strengthen its internal structures, improve members’ welfare and expand coverage of sports at the grassroots.

With the national leadership emphasising professionalism and grassroots reporting, expectations are high that the returning executive will translate its renewed mandate into tangible progress for sports journalism and sporting development across Anambra State.

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