Planned Protest: SWAN Rallies Nigerian Youth, Sports Personalities, Sues For Calm, Dialogue

Planned Protest: SWAN Rallies Nigerian Youth, Sports Personalities, Sues For Calm, Dialogue

By Niyi Busari

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has urged Nigerians, mostly youths and sports personalities to toe the path of peace and dialogue, instead of engaging in violent protest regarding the challenges facing the country.

This admonition is coming on the heels of planned protest by some persons in parts of Nigeria on August 1, 2024.

SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through the Association's Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo on Wednesday reckoned that while citizens have right to protest, such should be done in a most peaceful manner.

President Benjamin while recalling how previous protests in Nigeria had damaged critical National assets, called on the protesters to be mindful of mostly Sports infrastructure across the country as any form of destruction will further create needless deficit.

He said that instead of embarking on destruction of lives and properties, citizens should reflect on positive and progressive moves aimed at ensuring improved Sports development, which has obvious potential to uplift the country's economy.

"As the second most economic viable option in the entire world, Sports serve as catalyst for needed growth and development in any society. Therefore Sports men and women including athletes, officials, administrators and of course the sporting media have the responsibility to lead the way in terms of conduct and influence in our various residential and public places.

"Instead of joining any band wagon of destructive tendencies, let us encourage fellow Nigerians to engage in sporting activities in terms of physical exercise and other areas of gainful endeavours," he said.

The number one sports writer in Nigeria then admonished leaders at all levels to, in line with global standards, use legislative means to initiate sustainable policies that will loosen tight ends and clear bureaucratic bottlenecks, which had hampered sports development in the country.

He said, "Also, Nigeria as a developing nation should be a fortress for talent discovery and development because of abundance of human capital resources that abound in every nook and cranny of our communities, local government areas and states.

"Therefore, there is need for continious engagement with all stakeholders to harness and engage them meaningfully. In doing this, the role of the private sector which is a major driving force of the economy is critical. 

"Again, the government at all levels should do more in the provision of sporting infrastructure at the grassroots, as a veritable way of engaging mostly the young people, because Sports, with the right funding approach, has enormous potential to drastically reduce unemployment."

The SWAN President then assured that, "As professional Sports Writers, we are ever ready to offer useful contributions in form of advice amidst taking practical steps that will make meaningful impact."