Former Deputy National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar Moyoyo, has appealed to Taraba State governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to consider members of SWAN for government appointments to bolster sports development in the state.
Moyoyo made the call on Saturday in Jalingo , the state capital, during the inauguration of Pastor Simon Danladi Attah as the new Northeast Zonal Secretary of SWAN.
He emphasized the need for the state government to involve sports journalists in its administration, stating that such appointments would enable them to scout and nurture young talents, particularly from rural communities.
“We need to be encouraged to source for talent. That is the only way we can promote sports in Taraba. If we are supported, we can do more to expose the state and propel sports development both locally and nationally,” he said.
Citing the appointments of members from the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ,and the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists,NAWOJ, by governor Kefas, Moyoyo stressed the importance of extending similar opportunities to SWAN members in Taraba.
Backing Moyoyo’s appeal, the SWAN Vice President for the Northeast Zone, Ahmed Kagana Amshi, also called on the state government to recognize the Taraba State chapter of SWAN through appointments that would help elevate sports journalism and infrastructure in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Pastor Simon Danladi Attah expressed gratitude to the association’s leadership for entrusting him with the position and pledged to work collaboratively with national and zonal officers to elevate SWAN’s presence and impact in the region.
He assured members of his commitment to the association’s goals, promising to contribute meaningfully to its growth and visibility across the Northeast.
Earlier, the Taraba state chairman of the association, Alhaji Sani Suleiman, lauded the leadership of the association at both national and zonal levels for zoning the position to Taraba State.