SWAN signs pact with Unilorin on capacity building for members

....... Announces 31st May as date for capacity building/training for members

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State has entered into a partnership with the Mass Communication Department of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, ahead of its capacity building for members, scheduled to hold May 31st, 2023.

The Chairman, Kwara SWAN, Mallam Ayodeji Ismail disclosed this after extensive deliberation with its consultant, Shogo Shodunnke, and the Department of Mass Communication, during the official visit of the Association's executive to the HOD''s on Thursday.

Mallam Ayodeji explained that capacity building is one of the focal points of the current leadership adding that it will go a long way in reshaping sports journalism in the state.

Ayodeji said there are vast areas of specialties in sports that can be tapped as journalists and not only reportage.

He said, "The capacity building is long overdue because it is time for some of our members to focus on sports branding, marketing, and Public Relations. 

"We will not only focus on the reporting angle of sports but also on how we can create an ecosystem for sports to thrive in Kwara State. Kwara SWAN is happy senior lecturers of this great university will be our resource person at the capacity building".

Responding, the Head of Department (HOD), Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Dr Kehinde Kadiri applauded Kwara SWAN led by Mallam Ayodeji Ismail for the initiative of retraining its members.

Dr Kadiri said the Department of Mass Communication is ever ready to assist SWAN in the area of resources as well as ensure the training meets world standards.

She said, "SWAN is a recognized association all over the world and this visit to the department has sent the right sign. My doors are opened for the association and I want to assure you that I will personally grace the program".

Meanwhile, the consultant for the capacity building, Mr Shogo Shodunnke said the essence of retraining sports journalists cannot be overemphasised.

Shodunnke said the resource persons for the program will focus on sports branding, sports marketing as well as hidden potential in the sports industry.

The renowned sports consultant said three other resources persons within and outside the country will grace the capacity building.

Present at the meeting were senior lecturers of the department of Mass Communication as well as other executives of Kwara SWAN.

6th National Youth Games get underway in Ilorin

 

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Ismalia Abubakar has declared the sixth edition of the National Youth Games open at the University of Ilorin. 

Following the declaration was a match pass parade by different States, that caught the admiration of the spectators. The opening ceremony was colourful and exciting with great display by all participants.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare said, “This edition of National Youth Games will be serving the purpose of which it was strategically designed by the Ministry. Basically, the concept of National Youth Games is to serve as an effective platform for talent identification, development and as well as a level playing ground for young athletes, ranging from age 15 and below to achieve excellence in sports."

Dare further said that this year’s edition of the games is unique as it will produce formidable athletes that will represent Nigeria at the Africa Youth Games in Ethiopia 2022 and the next Youth Olympics games in Dakar, Senegal. 

The Minister then urged all concerned National Sports Federations to take advantage of the games and guide their sports to developmental objective and further develop the identified talents to the benefit of the country.

National Youth Games: Sports Directors, LOC give verdict on Unilorin readiness

The Local Organizing Committee(LOC) of the 2021 National Youth Games are satisfied with the level of preparedness of University of Ilorin ahead of the competition.

Members of the Sports Directors' forum also expressed their delight at the arrangements in place for the games.

Alhaji Ladan, the Sports Director of Kebbi State and Wodi Braveman, his counterpart from Bayelsa State also gave thumbs up to the Local Organizing Committee for their swift reaction in getting more options for the accomodation of athletes and officials when it was discovered that some hostels at the University of Ilorin were not available.

"We commend the LOC and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for their quick thinking in making alternate accommodation arrangements for the athletes at the Kwara State Polytechnic which has some newly built hostels when it was discovered that some students at the University of Ilorin were still in session," the Directors chorused.

The former chairman of the Kwara State Sports Council, Tunde Kazeem and the subdean of student affairs at the University were also full of praise for the organizers.

The Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr Bode Durotoye has also confirmed a slight adjustment to the time line of the National Youth Games with the opening ceremony initially scheduled for Wednesday, 13th October, 2021, now moved to Thursday, 14th October, 2021.

Young athletes compete in 37 sporting events as National Youth Games begin in Ilorin

The sixth edition of the National Youth Games will begin in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday, the 13th of October, 2021. Thirty seven sports will be competed in at the games which will hold at the University of Ilorin.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare alongside the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Isma'il Abubakar are expected at the opening ceremony of the event.

Over five thousand participants including athletes, coaches and technical officials as well as other stakeholders will be part of the weeklong competition.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare says the National Youth Games is one of the most important programmes in his Ministry because of the opportunities to identify raw talents at an early age and provide proper guidance for them.

Corroborating the Minister, the Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Sports Ministry, Dr. Bode Durotoye gave the example of Odunayo Adekuoroye, one of Nigeria's elite wrestlers who was discovered at an earlier edition of the games.

"We have many examples but let me just use a prominent one of the wrestler Odunayo Adekuoroye. She was discovered at an earlier edition of the national youth games and see how her profile has risen since then.

"We have some young talents that were here a few years ago who have now represented Nigeria in International competitions. We are looking forward to discovering more of such talents in Ilorin this week," Durotoye said.

Certificate Forgery: Unilorin summons 14 Staff for questioning

The Staff Disciplinary and Appeals Committee (SDAC) of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has summoned 14 workers who are being investigated for certificate forgery and other offences to appear before the committee Wednesday and Thursday next week to defend themselves.

A circular signed by Felicia M. E. Osiki for the UNILORIN Registrar, listed their offences as: securing employment with falsified First School Leaving Certificates (FSLC), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), Teachers Grade II, National Certificate for Education (NCE) and National Diploma (ND) certificates; presenting fake certificates to the Certificate Screening Committee; absenteeism, and failure to honour SDAC invitations on several occasions.

The workers include: Clerical Officer, Department of Arts Education, Onyeubo Angelinaugbaja; Head Office Assistant, University Library, Mohammed Musa; Assistant Educative  Officer, Academic Support Services, Taofeek Bello; Confidential Secretary, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ronke Anuoluwapo; Principal Health Assistant, University Health Service, Isiaka Aminu; Executive Officer, Academic Support Services, Kikelomo Fadile Bamidele.

Others are: Senior driver/mechanic UNILORIN liaison office, Abubakar Abdullahi; Senior Patrol Man, Security Division, John Olugbenga Joseph; Plant Operator, Works Department; Taofeek Ayigoro Raheem; Laboratory Assistant, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rofiat Temitope Eleja; Library Assistant, University Library, Luke Monday Owojaiye; Senior Patrolman, Security Division, John Emmanuel Oche; Senior Library Assistant, University Library, Ummi Ayuba; Executive Officer, Department of Statistics, Hussaina Ayuba.

Source: https://newsexpressngr.com/news/134184

NYG: Kwara sweeps squash medals

Kwara state is leaving up to its name as the home of squash as they won the Boys and Girls Singles event gold and silver, at the on-going National Youth Games.