By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, in Benue State, Terkimbi Ikyange has assured that the Ministry will partner the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Benue State chapter for it to succeed.
Ikyange who gave the assurance when new leadership of the association paid him a courtesy visit Wednesday in his office at the state secretariat Makurdi, said, he was delighted for having a functional SWAN in the state, that will help in sports reportage and propagate the work of the Ministry.
He emphasized the need for Partnership between Sports Writers for them to disseminate policies that are formulated by the ministry to drive sports development in the state in order not to fail in their responsibilities as a ministry and if the public does not know what we do then we would have failed in our responsibilities as a ministry.
The Commissioner who tasked the members to ensure that they report adequately the activities of Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, expressed optimism that with SWAN in place, they should make it a point of duty to ensure publicity of Lobi’s activities to attract prompt government attention.
Ikyange who directed the Director of Sports in the Ministry, Terzungwe Ichul to secure an office accommodation for use by the SWAN as secretariat at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi, said a functional office where members of the body would be easily contacted was necessary before thinking of building a secretariat for SWAN in the State.
The Commissioner who congratulated the new leadership on their victories also assured the EXCO of Partnership, promising that the SWAN leadership would be adequately briefed at the appropriate time on the forthcoming Governor’s Cup scheduled to commence next month.
In a remark,Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Benue State chapter,Rosario Orsar who said they were in his office to introduce to him the newly elected leadership of the association and to appreciate him for reconciling SWAN in the state, adding that the body is already enjoying relative peace and unity.
Orsar while appealing to the Commissioner to facilitate the process of securing an office accommodation for use by the association as a Secretariat, assured him of SWAN’s support to the Ministry through adequate coverage and needed publicity.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, John Akume, assured the group of maximum cooperation to enable them give adequate publicity of sports activities within and beyond the State.
