The Och’Idoma and President of the Idoma Area Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo, has reaffirmed his commitment to not only encouraging collaboration between the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and traditional institutions, but also to supporting initiatives that empower youths and using his office to advocate for unity, discipline, and excellence through sports and media engagements.
The Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom made this reaffirmation on Saturday at his palace in Otukpo, Benue State, when the President of SWAN, Isaiah Benjamin, led members of the association to bestow upon him the honor of the SWAN National Order of Sports in Nigeria. He said, “as traditional rulers, we are the custodians of culture, peace and moral authority and as sports journalists too you, are the custodians of narratives, truth and inspiration. When these two institutions work together, the impact is far reaching and transformational”.
He explained that, “sports is more than just a competition, it is education, character formation, unity and peace building. “In a nation with a vastly youthful population like Nigeria, sports remain one of the strongest platforms for youth engagement and empowerment, crime reduction and social inclusion, talent discovery, economic opportunity, national pride and global representation”.
The Och’Idoma, who accepted the nomination from the SWAN as the Patron, said he was thankful to them for the visit and honour done to him, saying, “may your pen remain truthful, your voices strong,, your vision unwavering and may Nigeria’s sports continue to rise and may our youths find hope, purpose and opportunities through your noble profession. He also acknowledged that, “I see this patronage not just as a title but also as a shared mission to build a healthier, more united and purpose-driven Nigeria”.
He said as a National Patron of the SWAN, saddled with the responsibility to guide and considering his background in sports, when in his youthful age he was an athlete and football player but had no one to project him, he advised the association to deepen its focus on grassroots sports advocacy and schools sports particularly, in the rural communities. He said, “many talents are lost not for lack of ability but for lack of exposure”. They should establish youth mentorship platforms where experienced sports journalists would be training the young writers, commentators, photographers and digital creators to ensure professionalism and ethical standards, to partner with traditional rulers to help mobilise and revive local sport festivals and promoting peace through sporting activities, strengthening its role as a credible advocate for better sports policies, infrastructure, athlete welfare and transparent sports administration. They should also invest in modern storytelling, archiving Nigeria’s sports history and combating misinformation with facts and integrity. He further explained that, “sports being a tool for unity and peace, in times of social tension, sports remain a neutral ground, adding that SWAN can champion sports for peace initiatives across regions and cultures”.
The Och’Idoma praised the SWAN for being a pillar in Nigeria’s sporting and media ecosystem and for consistently giving voice and visibility to Nigerian athletes, promoting discipline, patriotism and excellence through sports reporting. He stated that journalists served as watchdogs, advocates, historians of Nigerian sports and elevated sports as a tool for national integration and socio – cultural cohesion. And while commending the sacrifices made by the past and present leaders and members of SWAN who laboured often without adequate recognition but ensured that sports remained in the national consciousness, he noted that, “through your pens, cameras, commentaries and investigative works you have helped nurture sporting icons, shape public opinions and preserve the memories of our collective sporting achievements”.
Earlier, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Benjamin who said they were at the Och’Idoma’s palace to present a letter of nomination as the national Patron of the SWAN to him and as a lover of sports, to also bestow the highest honour in SWAN, the SWAN National Order of Sports in Nigeria on him.
Benjamin expressed appreciation to the Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom, for the honour that he did to the association, when he personally graced the occasion of the celebration of SWAN at the 60th Anniversary in Abuja. He said, “Your Majesty, you personally graced the occasion and we are honoured and we lack the words to say how much we thank you. Our earnest prayer for you is for you to continue to live long and also for your reign to be prosperous”.
