The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State Chapter, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to urgently appoint a substantive Commissioner for Sports, as part of measures to reposition the sector for optimal performance and sustainable growth.
This formed part of resolutions reached at the association’s Congress held on April 15, 2026, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Port Harcourt.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, SWAN commended the governor for sustaining financial support to key state teams—Rivers United FC, Rivers Angels FC, and Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club—as well as backing para-athletes who recorded a successful outing at the National Para Games in Abuja.
Despite the commendation, the body stressed that the absence of a sports commissioner has created a leadership vacuum that must be addressed without delay to ensure proper coordination and policy direction.
The Congress also underscored the need for the immediate constitution and inauguration of governing boards for the state’s major clubs and sporting associations under the Rivers State Sports Council. It further advocated the inclusion of sports writers in these boards to enhance transparency, professionalism, and effective communication.
SWAN congratulated the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Emmanuel Ndah, and the Director of Sports, Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Nyingiyikabo, for the state’s performance at the Abuja Para Games, describing it as a milestone achievement.
To deepen grassroots development, the association urged the state government to organise a sports festival without further delay, noting that such an initiative would serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing young talents.
The Congress also tasked the Rivers State Football Association (RSFA) to expand its grassroots football programmes beyond the annual Federation Cup, highlighting football’s critical role in youth engagement and employment.
In addition, SWAN appealed to multinational corporations and private sector players operating in Rivers State to invest in sports development through sponsorships and partnerships, aligning with practices in other parts of the country.
The body further called for the revival of key training institutions, including the Sports Institute in Isaka and the Sports Academy in Etche, to strengthen athlete and technical personnel development.
While acknowledging ongoing renovation work at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, SWAN urged the government to extend similar interventions to other dilapidated sports facilities across the state.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sports development through advocacy, constructive engagement, and responsible journalism.
The communiqué which was made available to The Atlantic Bell at the end of the Congress was signed by Okechukwu Onwugbonu, and Florence Ibisiki, Chairman and Secretary of the Communiqué Committee, Jim Opiki Udede, Technical Adviser, as well as Cyril Dum Wite, Chairman of Rivers State SWAN and Tonye Orabere, Secretary of SWAN.
