The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Anambra State Chapter, on Sunday October 26th 2025, marked its 60th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.
The Assistant Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Eugene Ejiofor in his homily, commended SWAN for acknowledging the importance of Thanksgiving.
Fr. Ejiofor while congratulating SWAN on their 60th Anniversary, urged members of the association to remain prayerful and dedicated.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the SWAN @60 Award and Appeal Fund Ceremony will hold between October. 29 and October. 31, 2025 at the VIP Lounge, Package A, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
According to a press statement from
SWAN @60 Media and Publicity Committee Desk signed by Comrade
Chimezie Anaso (Chairman) and Comrade
Hembadoon Orsar (Secretary), other activities to mark the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the Full Council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, Zonal Vice Presidents and Secretaries and State Chairmen and Secretaries.
ANN recall that Anambra journalists were listed among veterans who will be
recognized for their outstanding contributions, professionalism.
Those nominated includs: Mr. Tony Nezianya, a former Head of Sports at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Emeka Odikpo of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
Philip Balepo, Emmanuel Ndukuba and Chigozie Chukwuleta also made the list of nominees for the milestone award from Anambra State.
Their letters of nomination from the National Executive Committee nomination signed by Ikenna Okonkwo, Secretary General of SWAN were received by Chimezie Anaso, Chairman of Anambra chapter.
According to the letter, the senior colleagues were selected for special recognition of their outstanding contributions, professionalism, and enduring service to the growth and integrity of sports journalism in Nigeria.
Comrade Nezianya, a 3-time and current Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) cut his teeth in sports journalism in NAN back in the early 80s.
He retired as a director and Head of Sports Desk in NAN, he was also a chairman in Lagos Chapter and has been providing support for SWAN in Anambra in the past eight years.
Odikpo, known as the golden voice on radio, headed the FRCN Sports for many years before retiring as a director after over three decades of sports journalism.
He is widely travelled and served as chairman of SWAN in Lagos State.
Balepo, a product of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, has worked in many media organisations including Complete Sports, National Quest and Minaj Broadcast International, Obosi and Buzz FM Aba where he headed the Sports Department.
Famously known as “wordsmith and football encyclopedia” Balepo has travelled widely within and outside Nigeria on sports coverage and currently manages Little Drops Media as the CEO/MD.
Ndukuba, worked as sports journalist in the News Agency of Nigeria, he was publicity secretary of SWAN, Lagos Chapter before serving as Chairman of SWAN in Anambra.
Ndukuba is widely travelled and was a member of SWANECO at the Yola Convention and Delegate Congress. He is still an active member of SWAN in Anambra State.
Chukwuleta, is the publisher of Newspathfinder, an online news site and one of the foremost female sports journalists with many years of practice.
She was the chairman of SWAN in Anambra, Assistant Secretary General and Vice President of the Southeast zone of the association.
Congratulating the veterans journalists, SWAN Anambra State chapter applauded
them for their well deserved nominations in a letter to the national Secretariat.
According to the letter signed by Comrade Chimezie Anaso, the Anambra State Chairman, he thanked the National Leadership of SWAN under the presidency of Isaiah Benjamin, for finding them worthy of the honour.
