Osun SWAN appoints Aregbesola grand patron
Members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State Chapter, have made Governor Rauf Aregbesola their Grand Patron.
During the investiture and award ceremony, Chairman of the sports writers, Mr. Yemi Aboderin, commended Aregbesola policy of promoting sports and healthy living among the people of the state.
He singled out two such beneficial programmes – Walk to Live and Calisthenic – as such impactful sporting programmes his government introduced for the benefit of both young and old in the state.
According to the Governor, such programmes, which ensures healthy living, promote team work, unity of purpose and develop cognitive ability of school children are too important to be ignored by the media and sports journalists in particular.
“Sporting activities promote healthy living and drive away boredom as well as promote spirit of organisation and team work. In recognition of this, we introduced two key programmes: Walk to Live and Calisthenic.
“But sports journalists did not give these two mass participatory and beneficial programmes enough coverage they deserved. Such programmes are too important and helpful to turn a blind eye to.
“In particular, as sports journalists and in general, as media practitioners, I think we have the enormous duty of informing the people about what government is doing.
“Besides, let us encourage government to do things that have positive values to the generality of the people.
“We should also challenge government on the need to continue programmes that have positive impacts on our people.
“Whatever is good; whatever has values, must be promoted and supported. Whatever will raise and develop the society should not at all be neglected or ignored by the media.”
He said his government would continue to encourage people to engage in sporting exercise so as to eliminate stress, numbness and promote sound and healthy living.
On his part, the SWAN chairman held that the renaming of Prime Football Club to Osun United will now encourage people of the state to support and see the football club as property of Osun people rather than Osogbo.
