Sports

Minister Sunday Dare felicitates Muslim Faithful on Eid Fitr

Published

4 years ago

April 21, 2023

…Hosted Over 200 Oyo APC Chieftains for the last Iftar of the 2023 Ramadan

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Akin Dare has felicitated Muslim faithful on the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan which ended yesterday. In a statement released on the eve of Eid, Minister Dare noted that this year’s Ramadan period was special for various reasons, among which was its coincidence with the Lenten period of Christians.

The Agbaakin of Ogbomoso yesterday also hosted Oyo APC chieftains to the last Iftar of the 2023 Ramadan. The Iftar which was well attended by more than 200 people, doubled as a forum to discuss issues concerning the unity of the party in the state, including a postmortem of the last elections.

Minister Sunday Dare urged the party members and elders to see reason to unite for the future of the party. With emphasis on the new leadership Nigeria has elected, the Agbaakin of Ogbomoso made strong positive remarks on the position of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to party matters in the state and nation at large.

“A new dispensation is here, and it is for the good of all. For all Nigerians as it impacts on governance and party members as it impacts on intra-party politics. I want to encourage all of us to continue to hold the faith in our party. We will be stronger together again.”

In a prayer session held for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Iftar, members of Oyo APC and all in attendance prayed for good health and direction for the president-elect, to steer the ship of the Nigerian nation towards a better future.

In attendance at the Iftar were Mrs Hannah Ogunesan OFR, Former Head of Service, Oyo State; former chairmen of all the local governments in Oyo State (ALGON), Rt Hon Asimiriyu Alarape; Former Speaker of The Oyo State House of Assembly,
Hon. Abass Alesinloye
Hon. Lekan Afuye
Hon Afeez Bolaji Repete
Hon. Barrister suleiman
Hon. Kayode Adanla
Hon Bolaji Tunji

Hon. Kazeem Arole
Alhaji Bashiru Akambi
Hon Wahab Oladejo
Mr Adesokan Sai Rahman
Hon Adeyinka adeyemi
Hon Arowole Taofeek
Chief Najeem Adepoju
Biliaminu Ogundele
Agba Demo and Youth representatives of the party.

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

11 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.

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