By Samuel Akpan
Tolu Oguntimehin has emerged as the new Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT Abuja Chapter after defeating Raphael Ekpang by 88 votes to four at Thursday’s elective congress.
PerSecondNews correspondent at the event, reports that he pledged to rebuild the association, prioritise members’ welfare and restore its vibrancy.
“We need to make the association great again, and I promise you, with your support, that we will go the extra mile to make the association enabling for every member. The welfare of every member will be paramount,” Oguntimehin said.
The new chairman committed to building a ₦200 million bank account to strengthen SWAN FCT and fund travel opportunities for members.
“We need to go outside the box. We are the landlords in the FCT, and we need government processes and agencies to identify with sports in the FCT,” he stated, targeting partnerships with the NSC, NFF, private sector and government agencies.
Oguntimehin announced regular professional training programmes and retreats to upgrade sports journalism skills, with special focus on specialised training for radio presenters to revive the radio department and raise broadcasting standards.
The election took place at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium after the previous leadership’s tenure ended and the caretaker committee was dissolved.
Only the chairmanship position was contested; other positions were unopposed under SWANECO guidelines led by Lucky Isawode, in line with Articles 12 and 13 of the SWAN Statute.
Following Ronke Ojo’s withdrawal from the Financial Secretary race, Oguntimehin immediately assigned her to the vacant post after his acceptance speech.
He thanked the national president, secretary and congress participants, as his administration eyes welfare, professional growth, financial expansion and wider opportunities for FCT sports journalists.