Serawo's attempt to hold unscheduled SWAN convention hits brick wall

Serawo's attempt to hold unscheduled SWAN convention hits brick wall By Admin As the 19th National Sport Festival (NSF) gradually comes to an end, dissatisfaction within the ranks of Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) becomes more pronounced on Friday as SWANi President, Serawo's attempt to convert a scheduled Special Media Briefing by Sports Minister to SWANi Convention leads to strong resistance by majority of SWA members at the venue. SWAN members registered their disappointment at the idea of using the briefing to hold association's critical programme without notice for preparation by stakeholders. The association's boss took members by surprise when they were greeted into the hall with a banner welcoming them into 'SWAN' convention. It dawned on consciousness of some veterans who didn't mince words to say "it is totally unacceptable to turn ministerial briefing to a convention" . That argument was witnessed by Sport Minister's advance party including Alhaji Galadima which accounted for their quick departure and that left the hall for sports writers to vehemently express their grouse within themselves. Members were united in their refusal to partake in what they termed 'shambolic convention' and Serawo's exco could not come up with convincing argument. It may be recalled that some state chapters of the association had accused Serawo-led SWAN of registering a body, SWAN Incorporated (SWANI) with the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) without the concent of the congress, saying it was a unilateral decision and abuse of power. That objection had left to suspension of some state chapters including Lagos and Abuja which control more than 60 % of members nationwide. Observers of development in sport journalism noted that aborted convention that prevented Ministerial briefing from holding would give more credence to allegations against Serawo's board of SWAN, including financial misappropriation. A source alleged SWANI president, Honour Sirawoo had on Friday morning received One million naira cash from the ministry of Sports.