The Bayelsa State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has commended the state government for its continuous support for sports development, describing the attention given to the sector under Governor Douye Diri as unprecedented.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its congress held on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the NUJ Press Centre, Yenagoa.
The communique, signed by the chapter Secretary, Patrick Ndubuisi, congratulated Governor Diri and his Deputy, Pastor Peter Akpe, on the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State. It also lauded the Ministry of Sports Development for its plan to celebrate outstanding personalities who have made the state proud in sports.
The congress equally congratulated the national body of SWAN for a successful triennial delegates congress held in Kaduna and felicitated the National President, Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, and other executive members on their emergence at the 2026 elections.
It urged the new national leadership to continue to raise the bar in the administration of sports writers in the country.
On preparations for the 2026 SWAN Week, scheduled to hold from November 30 to December 5 in Bayelsa, the congress announced the setting up and inauguration of a planning committee to oversee activities for the week.
The committee has Mr. Preye Yabrifa as Chairman, while Bassey Willie, Tommy Amaegbe, Ekaunkumo Amgbare, Hananeel Jackson, Finecountry David and Priye Robert will serve as members. Patrick Ndubuisi will serve as Secretary.
The congress approved the inclusion of additional sporting events for this year’s SWAN Week to promote participation and fitness among members. The new events are the 100 metres and 200 metres races, which will complement existing activities and the Dinner/Award Night.
It further urged sports journalists and intending members to remain open to learning on the job and to be active and committed to SWAN activities as part of efforts to strengthen the association and uphold professional standards.
The congress reassured Bayelsans of its readiness to maintain professionalism in its reportage and to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in promoting sporting activities in the state and beyond.
The communique drafting committee comprised Desire Oruwari as Chairman and Michael Lakpa as Secretary.
