Sports
ValueJet Becomes Official Partner of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation
One of Nigeria’s fastest growing aviation companies, ValueJet has agreed in principle to support Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF in all their activities ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in September.
The partnership which was reached on Saturday , 22nd of July, 2023 in Remo, Ogun state will see ValueJet supporting all the activities of the federation with the possibilities of expanding the relationship in future if interest continues to align.
The partnership is coming on the heels of Nigeria securing a spot in the final phase of the Olympics 2024 qualifiers holding in September 16 and 17 at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe.
Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B that comprises the Shujaa of Kenya, Welwitschias of Namibia and Zambia national rugby team
The partnership with Valuejet cannot come at a better time than now as it will help the federation reposition its activities with particular focus on the Olympic qualifiers.
Speaking after the agreement, Chairman, ValueJet Mr Kunle Soname said the partnership is in furtherance with the companies ideals in empowering and supporting the youth through sports adding that the leadership inprint of the NRFF President, Dr Ademola Are made the partnership an unavoidable venture.
On his part, NRFF President, Dr Ademola Are noted that the partnership agreement with ValuJet signposts the federation’s activities towards reinvigorating the game of rugby in the country.
He described the Valuejet as a “vibrant, purposeful, professional company” that has added value to NRFF’s pragmatic vision of making rugby an alternative sport to football.
ValueJet was founded as an airline in 2018 with a vision to be a global airline connecting people and places using modern air travel, enabled by a professional workforce.
ValueJet is a Nigerian virtual carrier that operates scheduled flights to cities within Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Asaba, Kano and Jos, among others. The airline also offers charter services. Its aim is to better connect Nigeria and its people and wants to provide the best service possible to its customers.
Sports
SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism
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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