joshuaNUJ Chapels haul laurels as SWAN week ends in Nasarawa
From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Chapels of the Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ) Nasarawa State Council took to jubilation as they carted away laurels at the 2024 Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Week, Dinner and Award Night.
The Nasarawa State Chapter of SWAN organised a weeklong sporting activities from August 26th , 2024 which climaxed on Friday, September 6.
During the two weeks event, sports journalists from various chapels of the NUJ battled for laurels in 7 games namely: Football, Table Tennis, Scrabble, Ludo, Whot, Teqball and Chess.
At the end of the games, the Nigeria Television Authority ( NTA) Chapel emerged champions of the Football tournament, Information Chapel won the Chess and Scrabble games, while Team Nasarawa Broadcasting Service ( NBS) emerged champions of both the Ludo and Whot games. Precious FM Chapel won the male category of the Table Tennis championship with Nigeria Association of Female Journalists ( NAWOJ) team emerging winner of the female category of the Table Tennis championship respectively.
The Director-General (DG) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, in an address during the closing ceremonies, charged Nigerians to regularly engage in exercises and sporting activities to ensure healthy living.
Agara who is also the Executive Committee Member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Chairman Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO), stated that the importance of sporting activities and exercises to every individual were enormous for the improvement of both physical and mental well-being.
Mr Agara represented at the occasion by the Nasarawa State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Joshua Fagbami, commended SWAN for dedicating the week for journalists in the state to keep fit and urged them to sustain it.
He also promised sustained partnership with SWAN to promote all sporting activities in order to avail citizens diverse opportunities to develop their skills.
On his part, Archbishop and Founder of Faith- Hill Prophetic Assembly, Prof. Emmanuel Jatau encouraged people both young and old to participate in sports and exercise regularly for healthy living.
Jatau who is also the Director General, Pan-African University in West Africa, explained that exercises help to burn calories and helps in the healing process for those facing certain health challenges.
The clergyman said that Nigerians most oftentimes forget their differences during sporting activities because of its great unifying factor.
He, therefore, appreciated the association for naming the Table Tennis Championship in his name, assuring that he will remain resolute in his commitment to ensure that the association achieve their set goals.
Earlier, the State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Smah George promised to collaborate with government, organisations and individuals for the discovery of hidden talents among youths of the State.
Highlights of the occasion included the presentation of award of excellence to deserving individuals and sports stakeholders, as well as presentation of prizes to winning teams .
