Sports

FG Inaugurates Board Members of NIS

Published

3 years ago

May 24, 2023

The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board Nembers of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) with a view to providing effective governance and policy direction for the Institution in line with the enabling Instrument that established it.
The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, while inaugurating the Board in his office in Abuja today, called on them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the realisation of the mission and mandate of the Institute.

The Minister observed that the Institution was topmost in Africa for sports administration before it suddenly lost its glory, but expressed optimism that with the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to sports development in the country as well as the appointment of seasoned sports administrators into the new Board, “i believe the Institution will occupy its pride of place in Africa again”

He added that with the recent approval of the National Sports Industry Policy, (NSIP), which provides for private sector participation in sports as a business and not mere recreation, the challenge of funding and other related issues concerning sporting activities in Nigeria, will soon be a thing of the past.

“Your role as a Board is explicit, to move National Institute for Sports in the direction of modality much beyond the reputation of NIS before now.” Dare said
He informed that though efforts are ongoing to establish the first university of sports in the country, the Institute till then, remains the nation’s sports institution that needs credibility of examination process to ensure its certificate is fully recognised.

Dare stated further that the Ministry has signed a Ten-Year Football Masterplan which is aimed at addressing the fundamental anomalies that have plagued the development of football in the country, for the benefit of a broader strata of the society.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, called on the Board Members to partner with relevant institutions and stakeholders in order to realise the mission and vision of the Institute.

He assured that the Ministry will continue to support the Board to ensure it succeeds in the discharge of its mandate
Responding, the Board Chairman, Barr. Danladi Ibrahim thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, as well as top management staff of the Administration for the privilege given to them to serve, assuring that they will bring in their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the realization of the Institute’s mandate.

The newly inaugurated board members are as follows- Barr. Danladi Ibrahim – Chairman, Major General Okpeh Wilson Ali – Member, AIG Hafiz Inuwa – MemberLawrence Babatunde Aremu – Member, Dr. Fatima Kabir Umar – Member.

Others include; Boniface C. Odum – Member, Salisu Manman Aliyu – Member, Ag. DCG Gregory A. Itohoh, Prof O. A. Moronkola – Member, The Registrar – Member/Secretary, Kunle Solaja – Member and Commodore Omatseye Nesiama- Member and Mr. Awogbade Ayorinde Gbadebo.

Share on Facebook

Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

15 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

Share on Facebook