NUJ Lacks Power To Conduct SWAN Elections - Sirawoo

  NUJ Lacks Power To Conduct SWAN Elections - Sirawoo By Niyi Busari President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo says the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) lacks the powers to conduct elections for the Association. Sirawoo's argument is that SWAN is autonomous registered under CAMA with the help of NUJ who inturn is registered under Trade Union Act. According to him, National Industrial and State High Court don't have jurisdiction on SWAN matters except Federal High Court. He added that the body that conducts election for SWAN is SWANECO while NUJ elections are conducted by Credentials Committee. Sirawoo during a chat with BSN Sports wrote; "Is there any law in Nigeria that says to practice Journalism you must belong to NUJ, or any law saying to be a Sports journalist you must belong to SWAN? The answer is an emphatic NO. Is SWAN under NUJ? The answer is an emphatic No. Barr. Steve Alabi told us the story in Port Harcourt; to which we followed and withdrew our insignificant affiliation. Can SWAN be said to be independent? The answer is an emphatic Yes. "SWAN with the support of NUJ is registered under CAMA, while NUJ is registered under Trade Union Act; meaning National Industrial and State High Courts don't have jurisdiction on SWAN matters except Federal High Court. This put NUJ as a trade union while SWAN is a professional organisation. "Does NUJ have powers to conduct elections for SWAN? The answer is an emphatic NO. The body that conducts elections in SWAN is called SWANECO while NUJ is Credentials Committee. "Does SWAN have International affiliation just like NUJ. The answer is an emphatic Yes. SWAN is affiliated and guided by the rules of AIPS and pay annual affiliation fees, while NUJ is affiliated to IFJ and do same. Is AIPS affiliated to IFJ. The answer is an emphatic No." Buttressing his argument, Sirawoo pointed to a letter written by the NUJ to the Ministry of Sports dated August 20, 2020 stating that the Ministry should not recognize Sirawoo-led SWAN but Ahmed Aigbona-led SWAN. He said the letter was sent to stop him from getting the FIFA Palliative from the NFF but the Federation recognized him as the president and gave the palliative to him to share among registered members across the country.