SWAN Boss Pledges Vehicle Support for Bayelsa Chapter

The National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Isaiah Benjamin, has pledged to intervene in the mobility challenges confronting the association's Bayelsa chapter.

Benjamin made the pledge on Monday during a visit to the Bayelsa SWAN chapter, noting that the lack of a functional vehicle had made members' work more difficult.

He said he would engage the state Commissioner for Sports and other stakeholders to explore ways of securing a vehicle for the association. "One thing I asked was where is the SWAN bus or SWAN vehicle? And I discovered you guys don't have one at the moment. I will try my best to talk to Daniel Igali. He is, from the best that I know him, a good man, so he can help too," he said.

Benjamin acknowledged the difficulties sports journalists face at both state and national levels, particularly when members are required to travel for major sporting events, noting that SWAN's national leadership had also grappled with financial challenges in facilitating international assignments for its members.

He cited the association's recent trip to the United Kingdom for the Commonwealth Games, where, he said, SWAN was initially allocated only two media slots. "We were given only two slots, just two slots.

 Specifically, the same as the President and one other. I had media accreditation for the Commonwealth Games, and it took me a whole lot of effort to get the secretary to join," he said.

He explained that the short notice for the trip added to the financial strain, as members had to process their UK visas within a week through the priority service, with he and another official personally paying about N1.5 million each to cover the cost.

Benjamin said he had been deliberate about how the association's funds are spent, stressing that SWAN money should only go toward its intended purposes. "One good thing I don't know how to do is spend too much of SWAN's money. I don't know. I told people who care to listen that I spend SWAN money on what it is meant for," he said.

He disclosed that he inherited less than N2 million in the association's coffers when he assumed office, but said its financial position had since improved under his leadership.

The SWAN president said he was hopeful that discussions with relevant authorities in Bayelsa would yield practical solutions to the challenges facing the state chapter. While acknowledging that meeting the state governor might be difficult at this stage, he expressed optimism about having a productive conversation with the Commissioner for Sports.

"I am trusting God that I should be able to have a conversation with the commissioner. Obviously, it will be difficult to see the Governor at this stage, but I will have a fruitful conversation with the commissioner," he said.