I will work with key stakeholders to achieve NPFL goal - Coach Folley

 

By Bishop Aturu 

The newly appointed Technical Adviser of Kogi United Football Club, Coach Folabi Ojekunle has expressed his resolve to work will all critical stakeholders in the state to ensure unity of purpose and NPFL goal.

Coach Foley as popularly called made this known to members of Kogi State Chapter of Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria, (SWAN) during a familiarization visit at the Club's training ground.

The meeting which was at the instance of the experienced tactician was part of his determination to ensure that football stakeholders in the state gets involved in the task of ensuring an improved and better Kogi United during his reign.

In his words, " I am a fulfilled man today after meeting with the Sport Writers body because they are critical stakeholders in the sports sector,  which without their prompt and concise reportage, the society and indeed the world will not get first hand and detailed information about happenings in the world of Sports".

The Tottenham-trained coach thanked the Sport Writers for honouring his invitation and promised that henceforth, familiarization meetings and interactions like this with the body will be consistent and steady during his reign.

"The partnership with you guys is absolutely necessary because the mandate given to me by the Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello at my unveiling is to secure promotion for Kogi United to the Nigeria Professional Football League at the end of the forthcoming  NNL season and there is no way this can be achieved without the contributions,input and support of the major stakeholders which SWAN is also an integral part of"

Coach folabi said he had an extensive and fruitful discussion with the executive Governor of the state during his unveiling on steps and measures to be taken if the mandate to take the club to the top tier is to be achieved which the Number one citizen promised are being looked into. 

Chairman of SWAN in Kogi State Mr Bishop Aturu who spoke unbehalf of the group thanked the coach for deeming it fit to draw the body close.

He said the group as the body of Sport Writers in the state consist of individuals who are versatile and good in what they do and are ready to harmonize and partner with Kogi United in the area of  publicity and also ensure a good working relationship.

According to Mr Aturu, "we have in our rank and file practising sport  journalists who are good at what they do and as such we can harmonize our strenght to ensure a very good publicity for the club.We also look forward to more meetings and interactions like this"

"We are also looking at having a press conference with you so as to know more about your plans and programmes for the club as soon as you are successfully through with the screening exercise"

A veteran journalist who is the correspondent of the Leadership Newspaper in Kogi State and Ex-Officio of SWAN, Elder Sam Egwu applauded the tactician for the bold step taken to have a good rapport with the Association in the state saying it will also give Kogi United's activities more coverage and publicity.

The Meeting with the Sport Writers Association Of Nigeria Kogi State Chapter is one a series of Familiarizatiin meetings and interactions the former Udala fc handler has been having with football stakeholders in the state since he assume his new position as Technical Adviser of the Nigeria National League campaigners.

Coach Folabi Ojekunle has also met with the Kogi State Football Association, State Referees Council, Supporters of Kogi United fc in a bid to ensure that everybody is involved in the task of Making the Club a force to reckon with when the New Season gets underway.

Kogi SWAN felicitates with Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration

 

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Kogi State Chapter has felicitated with Muslims Umah within and outside the State  on the occasion   of this year Eid-el-Kabir

celebration.

A statement which was jointly signed by SWAN Chairman, Bishop Aturu, and Secretary Lawal Aliu noted that the day signifies love, perseverance, sacrifice, and peace.

While explaining that  Islam is a religion of peace, the sports body admonished Muslims Umah to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his only son against all odds.

It added that when the teachings of the festive season are reflected in our daily lives, the world would be a better place.

The statement also used the opportunity to felicitate with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on this special occasion praying that the Almighty Allah will give him that strength to pilot the affairs of Kogi State to an enviable height.

SWAN also lauded Gov. Bello for his sustained effort in protecting lives and properties in Kogi State.

" We congratulate all our Muslim brothers and sister for witnessing yet another Eid-el-Kabir celebration. This is a time for all of us to look deeply into our hearts and do the teachings of our holy prophet. He lived a life of simplicity, humility, patience, and perseverance. 

" We are all aware that if we imbibe all these virtues such as peace, love, unity which is a symbol of our prophet, the world would be a better place. It is important to state here categorically that our Prophet provided a template for us to follow. As human being, we must not deviate from it" the statement added.

The statement averred further that  SWAN is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders in towards achieving Kogi State of our dream stressing that sports development remains a top priority of the association.

End

Idah Local Govt seals partnership with SWAN for sports development in Kogi State

 

The Executive Chairman, Idah Local Government of Kogi State Abuh Odoma has restated its commitment to partner with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), towards developing raw talents in the state.

Odoma disclosed this on Monday when the State Executive of SWAN paid him a courtesy visit in Idah.

He stressed that sports remains a unifying factor in the country noting that the local government has produced many talents that have made the state and the country proud.

The Idah Local Government boss lauded SWAN for its roles in promoting sports in the state adding that, before he assumed office, the level of insecurity was very high in Idah Local Government.

He thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for providing an enabling environment for him to thrive adding that, the Governor  deserved commendation for the safety of of lives and properties in Kogi State.

According to him,  "Fighting insecurity is not an easy task. We must commend our amiable Governor for providing an enabling environment for the citizens to go about their daily activities. 

"When there is peace and security, sport development will be at its peak. Am very delighted to receive this great individuals who are ready to change the narratives of the past about Kogi State through Sport.

"It is imperative to note that, when we engage our youths in sporting activities, it will reduce all form of social vices such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and many more. I must commend Kogi SWAN for this bold step and am assuring you that I will support the association with all my capacity towards discovering raw talents in Idah Local Government and Kogi State in general".

Odoma maintained that his administration will sustain sports development in Idah Local Government, just as he assured that he will continue to partner with the association to move the state forward. 

Speaking earlier, the State Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Bishop Aturu while thanking the Chairman for the warm reception in Idah lauded him for his immense contribution in safe guarding lives and properties in the Local Government.

Aturu also stated that Idah Local Government has brought many talents to limelight in Kogi State, hence the need for the Executive Chairman to sustain the effort in making the Local Government a hub for talents discovery, to represent the State at both national and international competitions.

He specifically mentioned Handball as one of the sports the Local Government has continued to carve a niche for itself in the country, adding that the recent promotion of Kogi State to the prudent handball league was products of players from Idah Local Government. 

He assured his host that if the body would organise a handball competition, Idah Local Government would be the host.

Aturu however intimated the Chairman that SWAN has concluded plans to host a maiden open championship in Idah Local Government which will allow schools and indigenes of the area to participate in sporting activities such as wrestling, swimming, boxing, athletics, judo, footballs, handball,  amongst others. 

He maintained that one way the youths could be empowered is through sport, explaining further that, SWAN is coming up with an investiture later in the year where critical stakeholders from far and near will come together and discuss the way forward for sports development in Kogi State.

Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of SWAN in Kogi State Mr Onalo Mamud said the association is known for promoting sporting activities across the 36 States of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the body is in his Local Government to solicit his support by using his good office to promote the activities of SWAN in Kogi State.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the State Assistant Secretary of SWAN Odimayo Olatunde and a member of the association Godwin Wambebe, sport reporter with radio Kogi.