Osun SWAN Promotes Professionalism, Honours Four New Patrons

The Osun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has organised a seminar on professionalism in sports journalism, while also honouring four prominent individuals as patrons of the association.

The event, held on Saturday at the Press Centre of the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osogbo, featured discussions on the evolving landscape of sports journalism and the need for practitioners to embrace new media without compromising professional standards.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NUJ, Osun State Council, Dr Adeyemi Aboderin, urged SWAN members without relevant professional qualifications to take advantage of programmes offered by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

Aboderin, who delivered a lecture titled “Qualifications, Competence, Credibility: The New Path for Sports Journalists,” said acquiring relevant qualifications would strengthen journalists’ professional standing and help them avoid possible disqualification in association elections.

He stressed the importance of professional credentials, noting that qualifications and competence remained critical to credibility within the journalism profession and professional associations.

The NUJ chairman also encouraged sports journalists operating blogs and other online platforms to identify with the newly inaugurated Osun Online Media Chapel of the NUJ.

Also speaking on “The Modern Sports Journalist: Tools, Truth and Trust in New Media,” Mr Tunde Shamsudeen urged sports journalists to maximise the opportunities offered by digital platforms while maintaining the fundamental principles of journalism.

Shamsudeen cautioned that the speed of new media should not be allowed to undermine accuracy and credibility, urging journalists to properly investigate and verify information before publication.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Osun Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Shina Abubakar, charged journalists to remain committed to investigative journalism and professional ethics.

Abubakar emphasised the need for balance in news reporting, particularly during investigations, urging journalists to contact all parties involved in an issue and give them adequate opportunity to respond before publication.

The General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Ademola Daini, called on SWAN to be more proactive in its activities and urged members to ask questions about issues affecting sports development in the state.

Representing the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association (FA), Mayor Sola Fanawopo, the association’s Secretary, Amoo Abayomi, assured SWAN of the FA’s continued partnership and support.

The event was attended by former chairmen of Osun SWAN, Shittu Alamu and Muyideen Adeleke, as well as sports administrators and stakeholders, including the Vice Chairman of Osun United, Prince Ayo Odidi; Community Relations Manager of Osun United, Alhaji Abimbola Risky; football enthusiast, Mr Femi Faramade; and Board Member of the Osun FA, Comrade Fatai Salami.

The association also decorated four individuals—Olayiwola Olafiranye, Adamu Mohammed, Timothy Folaranmi and Michael Omage—as its new patrons.

In their acceptance speeches, the new patrons expressed appreciation to Osun SWAN for the honour and pledged their continued partnership and support for the association.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Osun SWAN, Timothy Agbor, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Seun Omolola, appreciated the founding fathers of the association for their contributions to its growth and development.

Agbor said the association remained committed to strengthening its relationship with stakeholders and would continue to partner with individuals and organisations committed to the development of sports in Osun State.

He added that such partnerships would contribute to the growth of sports journalism and the broader sports sector in the state.