By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Feelings of joy and celebrations rented the air, faces beamed with smiles, as accolades and encomiums were showered on the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter at its Award Nite.
The Award Nite rounding off this year’s annual Week of Oyo SWAN featured the presentations of awards of honour to some selected distinguished personalities who had either supported the Association or contributed to the development of sports in the state.
The awardees including the Chairman Oyo State Road and Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) Mogaji Akin Fagbemi, Chairman Ibadan Football Association, Barrister Rotimi Alli, Owner of Ogbomoso United Football Club Akinwole Akinwale, as well as the President Nigeria Judo Federation Dr Musa Oshodi all heaped praises on the leaders of the body of sports writers in the state.
Dr Oshodi said “I love Oyo SWAN, that’s why I am associating with them. And I will continue to love and associate with the Association. In fact, I am promising that come next year I will sponsor the sports competitions of Oyo SWAN Week”.
The Chairman of Ibadan Football Association (IFA) Barrister Rotimi Alli also paid glowing tributes to Oyo SWAN leaders.
“Oyo SWAN Chairman Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary, Adewale Tijani are my childhood friends. I have been friends with Alebiosu since 1988, while Tee Jay and I were once course mates in the University of Ibadan. The two gentlemen are doing well for sports journalism in the state. And they have been very supportive”, IFA Boss, popularly called Libero, stated happily.
The Chairman of the Award Nite, who is also a respected Ibadan Chief, Adegboyega Adegoke lauded the ingenuity of the sports journalists in the pace setter state.
“I am happy to be with these wonderful people on this beautiful night. They have done well in putting together tonight’s delightful event. I congratulate Alebiosu, Raji Adebayo and other organisers of 2021 Oyo SWAN Week for successfully holding this weeklong celebration during this austere time. I give kudos to you”, Chief Adegoke expressed his ovation.
Other awardees who shared in the glories of the glorious night were the General Manager Shooting Stars Sports Club Alhaji Rasheed Balogun, the owner of Shafaudeen Patriots Football Club Professor Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke J.P, an excelling athlete bagging laurels for both her state and country Rofiat Lawal and a dazzling judokas David Joseph Damilare.
They all expressed their gratitude to Oyo SWAN for giving them awards.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman Oyo SWAN, Niyi Alebiosu said the award nite is a xpay-back time for the awardees who, he said, had put smiles on people’s faces with their contributions to societal growth.
“Conferring awards on these distinguished personalities is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to them for the good things they are doing, and to encourage them to do more for the society. It is also our way telling all people, both young and old, that it’s good to be good”, Alebiosu said.
At the Oyo SWAN Award Nite, Champions of the Sports Competitions held during the SWAN Week celebrations got their prizes.
Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) went home with football trophy for defeating Agidigbo FM by four goals to one at the football competition final, while Sola Oladapo of Federal Information who triumphed over arch rival, Raji Adebayo of Daily Independent at the table tennis final also bagged the competition’s ultimate prize.
The Award Nite held at Joy Bam Hotels and Suites, Orita Challenge Ibadan had in attendance, the creme de la creme of the society including the Number One Journalist in Oyo state Comrade Ademola Babalola, Barr. Lowo Obisesan as well as renowned sports administrators, veteran journalists and broadcasters.
