From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Cross River State chapter inaugurated its new executive on Saturday, with Triumph Newspapers correspondent Musa Muhammad Kutama elected as the chapter’s financial secretary.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Calabar under the auspices of SWAN South-South Zone National Vice President Comrade Bonny Nyong, emphasized discipline, humility, and ethical leadership for the newly elected officers.
Nyong charged the new executives to embrace institutional loyalty and responsible conduct beyond personal ambition.
“Leadership within professional bodies demands sacrifice, patience, and gradual service through various levels of responsibility,” he said, recounting his own rise from Public Secretary to Vice President.
He further urged the executives to leverage their goodwill by initiating credible programmes that promote unity, professionalism, and visibility for sports writers in Cross River State.
“I want to hear that you have a programme in Cross River. Call me, I will come,” Nyong pledged, promising to donate a media sports trophy to encourage competitive excellence.
The vice president also warned against political interference and indiscipline, stressing that SWAN leadership must operate independently to maintain credibility. “I don’t want my SWAN head to function where somebody will be lurking behind,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, SWAN Cross River Chairman Comrade Mike Akpang of Radio Nigeria thanked SWAN elders and members for a transparent and credible election process.
He pledged inclusive leadership and ethical conduct, emphasizing that leadership is a collective responsibility aimed at advancing sports journalism in the state.
The event was attended by SWAN elders, the SWAN Election Committee, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, who called for reconciliation and the resolution of internal differences among members.
