SWAN suspends Mohammad Mansour Ibrahim indefinitely

…. Appoints 3-man Independent Investigation Committee

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has unanimously suspended one of its members, Mohammad Mansour Ibrahim, over alleged persistent gross misconduct.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of SWAN on Thursday.

The communique, which was signed by Mr. Isaiah Benjamin and Ikenna Okonkwo, the National President and the Secretary-General of SWAN respectively, alleged that Ibrahim engaged in “in acts that put the professional body to disrepute in recent times”

It stated that NEC unanimously announced Ibrahim’s indefinite suspension from all SWAN and SWAN-related activities.

According to the communique, “NEC observed that Mansour, a Kano State-based broadcaster, has further engaged in various anti-professional actions, not minding that he is a member of the current SWAN, which negates how a leader is expected to conduct himself at all times.

“NEC, while noting that Mansour’s suspension is in line with SWAN statutory provisions, asked him to return every SWAN Property/Document in his possession to the National Secretariat immediately as the suspension also excludes him from NEC, Zonal position in North-west as well as any form of participation or affiliation with the Association at all Levels of its composition including in Kano and the entire North-west till further notice”

According to the communique, NEC constituted a three-man Independent Investigation Committee led by SWAN Vice President North-central Mallam Olayinka Owolewa. SWAN National Ex-Officio Alhaji Usman Abbas Osculator and Mr. Ikem Asika as members of the Committee with a task to carry out their duties without fear or favour in line with SWAN statute.

The NEC then approved the appointment of Rilwanu Idris Malikawa as SWAN National Ex-Officio after his nomination by the SWAN President and tasked with the responsibility of coordinating SWAN activities in the North-west region in the interim, the communique disclosed.

While reviewing its activities since assumption into office about four months ago, the SWAN NEC unanimously and explicitly commended its President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin for his dexterity and pro-activeness in handling the affairs of Sports Writing Professionals in Nigeria..

“NEC at the meeting encouraged all SWAN members to continuously exhibit high level of professionalism in going about their duties while appealing that challenges encountered in the line of duty because of the prevailing economic situation in the country should not deter anyone as the leadership will from time to time galvanise Stakeholders for future gainful partnerships,” the communique staed further.

The NEC meeting was attended by Isaiah Benjamin (President), Azuka Chiemeka (Vice President South-South), Ayodeji Ogunsakin (Vice President, South-West), Olayinka Owolewa (Vice President, North-Central), Ahmed Kagan Amshi (Vice President, North-East), Augustine Ajayi (National Welfare Officer), Mr. Usman Abbas Shehu (National Ex-Officio), Ikenna Okonkwo (Secretary-General) while Mr. Olalekan Ige (Deputy Secretary General) was absent with Apology –