By Aderonke Ojo
In a grand recognition of his sustained zeal to sports development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, was conferred with the esteemed Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria(SWAN) Nigeria Order of Sports Distinguished Award at its 60th anniversary celebration held at the VIP Lounge of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday, 31st October, 2025.
The prestigious accolade, a culmination of Governor Sule’s impactful initiatives and huge investments in sports infrastructure and talent nurturing within and outside Nasarawa State accentuates his passion to elevating sports in the State and country at large.
The colourful award ceremony, graced by prominent Nigerian leaders, Governors(represented), sports luminaries, Government and private individuals, and distinguished members of the press, served as a fitting homage to Governor Sule’s enviable visionary leadership.
In his acceptance remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, expressed profound gratitude to the national leadership of SWAN headed by President Benjamin Isaiah, for the recognition, acknowledging the pivotal role of sports in societal development and national pride.
“This award is a validation to the collective efforts of Nasarawa State’s sports community and my administration’s resolve to create an enabling environment for sports excellence.
“We remain steadfast in our deliberate commitment to harness sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment and community cohesion.
“I have high regards for the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria and its members, and that is why both at the Nasarawa State level and national level, I enjoy a cordial working relationship with them as I collaborate with them to develop the sports industry in Nigeria.
“I remain committed to making Nasarawa State a sports development hub under my administration, that is why we have invested heavily in both infrastructure and talent-wise, as well as hosting and sponsoring various sports-related activities, and we will continue to do so until we are able to achieve our set goals”, the Governor stated.
Governor Sule who initially intended to honour SWAN’S invitation to the ceremony, had his schedules altered, but promised to contribute his quota to the Association’s two billion naira appeal fundraising to build its first national Secretariat at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that his recognition by the Association will further spur him to galvanize sports development initiatives in the State, reinforcing his legacy as a true champion of sports and youth empowerment in the State and Nigeria in general.
Earlier, President of National SWAN, Comrade Benjamin Isaiah, disclosed that the Association’s diamond jubilee celebration which drew journalists and stakeholders from across the country and beyond, featured series of activities, including lectures, investiture, interactive session, fundraising to build the SWAN Secretariat, novelty football match between SWAN versus the National Sports Commission team, emphasizing that the award ceremony was a benchmark of excellence in Nigerian sports, celebrating individuals and organisations that have significantly contributed to the growth and promotion of sports in the country.
SWAN’s 60th anniversary celebration, themed: “THE POWER OF SPORTS MEDIA: HONOURING ITS LEGACY AND SHAPING THE FUTURE”, provided a platform for critical stakeholders, including Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, to reflect on achievements and chart pathways for enhanced sports development and media synergy in Nigeria.
Notable Governors who also got recognized at the awards’ ceremony were Dr. Alex Otti(Governor, Abia State); Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed(Governor, Bauchi State); Sir Siminalayi Fubara(Governor, Rivers State); Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf(Governor, Kano State);
Senator Douye Diri(Governor, Bayelsa State); Mr. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori(Governor, Delta State); Barr. Caleb Mutfwang(Governor, Plateau State); Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq(Governor, Kwara State), and Hon. Mai Mala Buni(Governor, Yobe State).