Sports

World Athletics U-20: SWAN Thumbs Okowa For Outstanding Performance

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2021

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN FCT Chapter, has applauded the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa for the unprecedented feat achieved for the country at the just-concluded World Athletics U-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

This commendation is coming on the heels of the outstanding third-placed finish on the medals table by Team Nigeria. The best ever medal haul of four gold and three bronze

SWAN Chairman Comrade Bunmi Haruna in a statement, issued on Wednesday, after the triumphant Team Nigeria contingent was treated to a memorable reception in Abuja, praised Chief Okowa for his physical and financial investment in the team and also applauded the Delta state government for the role they played.

According to him, ” I commend in strong terms the tenacity of the AFN under the leadership of the Chief Tonobok Okowa and also Delta state which committed resources in camping athletes for good two months before the championship. I’m sure these commitments went a long way to yielded results not only for the federation but for the country at large.

Comrade Bunmi also thanks the AFN boss for always identifying with the media.

“AFN under Chief Tonobok has shown it recognises the role the media plays in the development of the game worldwide and we are ready to support him to spur the federation to greater heights.

We will continue to support via constructive reportage of AFN activities.

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Sports

“ This Award Gives Me Hope” Makanjuola Nureni Honoured for His Dedication to Nigerian Sports

Published

3 hours ago

November 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Abuja-based football administrator and philanthropist, Makanjuola Nureni, has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in recognition of his outstanding support to sports journalism and his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

The prestigious award was presented on Friday in Abuja during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence across the nation.

Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Makanjuola Nureni described the award as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to continue his lifelong commitment to youth and grassroots sports.

“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration to me and my supporters, and I believe it will encourage us to invest more in youth sports development in Nigeria,” he said.

He added that the recognition serves as a morale booster after decades of hard work and silent impact in the sports community.

“I feel happy and fulfilled because we have been doing this for decades, and many times, our efforts went unnoticed. But I thank God that SWAN recognized people like us,” Nureni expressed.

Makanjuola Nureni is the founder and owner of Water FC Academy, a renowned football institution based in Abuja that focuses on discovering, nurturing, and empowering young Nigerian talents.

Through Water FC, he has developed and sponsored numerous players who have gone on to represent Nigeria’s national teams and play professionally in clubs across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

His consistency, passion, and investment in the development of young athletes have made him a key figure in Nigerian grassroots football.

In presenting the award, SWAN commended Nureni’s unwavering dedication to the growth of sports and his continuous support for sports journalism and youth empowerment.

The association highlighted his decades-long service to football development and described him as a true partner in the promotion of excellence within Nigerian sports.

The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration brought together prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to honour individuals and organizations whose contributions have advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.

Nureni’s recognition stands out as a testament to his vision, consistency, and commitment to creating opportunities for young athletes and strengthening the foundation of Nigerian football.

With this honour, Makanjuola Nureni further cements his legacy as one of the foremost private contributors to sports growth and youth development in Nigeria.

His story continues to inspire a new generation of sports administrators and philanthropists dedicated to transforming Nigerian sports from the grassroots up.

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