By Sam O’Femi Fasetire
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Recently, a clamour came up among some officials and elders of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) that their members have never been given due recognition when rewards are given out to people in the country’s various victorious teams after they excel at major international competitions.
This line of talk arose from the massive cash largesse that the federal government doled out for the Nigerian female football team (Super Falcons) and women’s basketball squad (D’Tigress), after they both won their respective continental championships. While the players, coaches and backroom staff of both squads got warm presidential handshakes laced with dollars, nothing was mentioned for accompanying sports journalists that were in both delegations.
Many members of the Fourth Estate wondered why journalists are not among people who got rewards for a job well done. Not even ‘crumbs for dogs’ as compensation for our colleagues of the pen trade who toiled to spread reports in print, online, TV and radio across the world about the heroics of our ‘girls’ in football and basketball.
However, I stoutly use this medium to scold all SWAN leaders in Lagos (The Centre of Excellence) and at the national level for not speaking out loud enough. Indeed, if players, coaches and staff who have other jobs outside the national teams get rewards for bringing glory home to the nation, same should apply to all journalists who covered their path and flight to glory. Yes, SWAN spoke well in content but not in magnitude … they did not shout out loud and long enough! Their clamour was low keyed and too short lived.
A I reflected further on the matter, I began to realise where the main problem in this issue should be tackled. I see it as a case of ‘who wears the shoe knows where it pinches,’ and I ask: Have we celebrated ourselves before we expect to be celebrated by people who don’t feel the same pulse we cringe over? Have we even lifted our trumpet before we look around for someone who will blow it for us?
While ruminating over how to tackle this matter, it came to my realisation that several sports writers have died without getting the massive burial rites they deserve. When ex-internationals die, their funerals are like carnivals – some of which we all saw in recent time across the country. Sadly, only a few individuals turn up to give their last respects to sports writers when they go to great beyond. I weep…
Don’t get me wrong, I also count myself among those who should be held accountable for reducing the death of one sports writer or the other to lamentations of a few, instead of loud and long wailing of a whole nation. I blame myself for being among the culprits who have forgotten our past heroes of SWAN.
Among my minuses is that I still cannot remember the name of a colleague who allowed me stay with him in his room when I could not find hotel space any longer while covering the Super Eagles’ camp at Sol Beni in Cote d’Ivoire. Sadly, he is now late and, since I couldn’t remember his name, should I expect politicians and bureaucrats to remember him?
There are many others too who I know are no longer on Mother Earth, but it hurt me that I could not remember all of their names. So, I thought it wise to contact Afolabi Gambari (aka Afo’O), one of my closest pals in the pen trade and a well-respected guru in SWAN matters. Together, we eventually came up with what I have tagged (see box below) ‘SWANS’ Late All Stars Squad’ – to celebrate some of the men and women who made our profession tick in years past and who I think deserve something like a hall of fame at the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).But, as I expect them to take action, I quickly chip in a very cogent question: What is SWAN itself doing about honouring its own? Do we have a hall of fame where late journalists have their photographs and names etched in eternal glory? Do we even have a football competition named after any of our members? Talk less of a statue, stadium, sports hall or road? So sad!
Down the line, I also reasoned that this should not be a lamentation over death alone. Why not note that due reward for sports writers should also include celebrations of life. So, let’s also remember our living SWAN heroes. Let’s continue to celebrate Alhaji Mumini Alao after his recent book launch. Let’s celebrate George Essien (Mighty George) for setting a new mark in Guinness Book of World Records for the longest ever continuous sports broadcast. Let’s remember Toyin Ibitoye’s wonderful role as Super Eagles’ media officer. What about the ‘human sports encyclopedia,’ Kunle Solaja?
Let’s celebrate the velvety voices of Mitchel Obi in Lagos, Mohammed Sulaiman (Mowiz) in Kaduna, China Acheru in Port Harcourt, Emmanuel Etim and Bimbo Adeola in Lagos, Solomon Onu in Owerri, Raymond Akpahuere in Abeokuta, as well as the pens of Jack Moses Ekwe Ekwe in Jos, Lekan Olaseinde in Abuja, Morakinyo Abodunrin in Lagos, as eell as many others who space does not allow me to mention.
What about sports writers who dropped the pen then excelled (some still excelling) as administrators – Paul Bassey, Emeka Inyama, Fan Ndubuoke, George Aluo, Frank Ilaboya, Godwin Enakhena, Colin Udoh, Harry Awurimibe, Hameed Adio, Ademola Olajire, Aisha Falode and others. They all have not been celebrated enough.
O, I remember the days of Lagos SWAN Cup, which Taribo West once helped up to properly propel into public view. Why can’t we do it ourselves? O, gone is the glamour, the glitterati, and the glory. Faint memories of excellent football artistry from those who proved that not only can we write, talk and show football, we can also play it. Step out for recognition Mumini Alao, Larry Izamoje, Harry Iwuala, Callistus Ebare, Rasheed Adewuyi, Sammy Etuk, Deji Omotoyinbo, Tunde Oyedele, Desmond Ekwueme, Tony Ubani, Raymond Nwaduba and others. Don’t they deserve spots in SWAN’S Hall of fame? Better still…. where is the hall of fame?
I’m sure that there are many more other SWAN heroes from all across the country like those whose names I’ve painstakingly reeled out in this article. Those alive and the dead, active or retired, veterans plus middle-aged, they have all not been celebrated well enough! So, before SWAN’s voice can be heard at Aso Villa, let’s first put our own house in order…
*SWAN’s Late All Stars’ Squad (Players & Crew)
1. Ben Alaiya
2. Deji Tinubu
3. Opeyemi Omotayo
4. Bassey ‘Koma’ Ekpo
5. Dapo Sotuminu
6. Eddie Bekom
7. Kayode Tijani
8.Godwin-Spiff Sagbama
9. Emeka Enechi
10. Muyiwa Daniel
11. Chris Eseka
Subs:
12. Emiko Bake
13. Eddie Akalonu
14. Al-Jerry Odey
15. Nnamdi Anazia
16. Jude Ogbonnaya
17. Richard Animam
Coaches:
18. Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase
19. Ayo Ositelu
20. Dave Enechukwu
21. Sylva Eleanya
Backroom Staff:
22. Ernest Okonkwo
23. Austin Mgbolu
24. Raji Mohammed
25. Ikechukwu Ajuonuma
26. Paul Erewuba
27. Mustapha Abdullahi (Soko)
28. Henrietta Ukaigwe
29. Bibian Onwugbolu
