Sports
Who is Emmanuel Akpakwu? A National Asset
Like the proverbial postulation goes, a golden fish has no hiding place, because it is a only a matter of time before its shine and spark attracts all and sundry. The same can be said about Emmanuel Akpakwu, whose prolific intelligence, charming works and administrative wisdom have placed him at the zenith of his league.
Akpakwu was named amongst a list of thoroughbred Nigerians who got national decorations for outstanding contributions in their sphere of influence. He was named for decoration as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a national
Honour bestowed meritoriously on him, which rightfully cemented his status as an undeniable asset of national pride, to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Benue state native has used his position as an envoy to promote the interests of Nigeria in the international community, with an undying commitment to the Nigerian project. In the international space, he stands as the Consul of the Republic of Philippines to the Nigerian consulate, and has several represented Nigeria in relationships with the organizations based in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, etc.
Standing with his hope of a better Nigeria, Akpakwu has unrelentlessly stood as a youth advocate, supporting young Nigerians in varying ways.
He has facilitated exchange programs for the youths, national and international scholarships, employment opportunities, and many others.
His decoration as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic comes as little surprise to millions of Nigerians who testify to his free spirit. It’s only an attestation to his place as an invaluable national asset.
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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