NAN-S-4
Directives
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has urged its members to abide by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) directive banning beat associations and groups in sports journalism not recognised by it.
SWAN Secretary-General, Olawale Alabi, said in a statement on Thursday that NUJ had restated that such bodies not recognised by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NUJ be outlawed.
The statement quoted NUJ’s National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, as saying that a letter to SWAN President, Honour Sirawoo, restated that it was part of resolutions reached at the NEC meeting in Owerri on Nov. 25.
Part of the letter reads: “NEC has directed that all Beat Associations not recognised by NEC of NUJ be outlawed.
“Accordingly, you are advised to stop all Beat Associations/Groups in sports journalism that parade themselves extorting money from unsuspecting officials.
“You are to note that only SWAN is so recognised and permitted to operate as the sole regulating body for all sports writers in Nigeria’’.
According to the statement, SWAN NEC has in the light of this, advised all members of the association to be guided by the directives of the NUJ.
SWAN also urges members of the general public to be appropriately guided by this. (NAN)
BAY/AK/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)