By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku, Lafia
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) will this weekend kick off activities marking its 60th anniversary with special Jumat and Thanksgiving services across the country.
In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the SWAN @60 Media and Publicity Committee, Chimezie Anaso and Hembadoon Orsar, the events will begin with a Jumat prayer on Friday, October 24, followed by a Thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
According to the committee, the prayers and thanksgiving will be held simultaneously in all SWAN state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at venues to be chosen by the respective chapter leaderships.
“The National President of SWAN, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, invites government officials, sports stakeholders, members, and the general public to join the association in thanking God for six decades of impactful service to Nigerian sports,” the statement said.
It added that the spiritual activities will also serve as an avenue to seek divine blessings, protection for members, and greater success for the nation’s athletes.
In Nasarawa State, the chapter chairman, Comrade Smah George, announced that Muslim members will observe their Jumat prayer at the Secretariat Jumma’a Mosque opposite Abacha Youth Centre, to be led by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Umaru Muhammed.
Christian members, he said, will converge at VictoryLife Baptist Church, Millionaires Quarters, after ‘B’ Division, on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for a thanksgiving service led by the chapter chairman.
The committee further disclosed that the Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will feature a Full Council Meeting of the association, comprising the National Executive Council, Zonal Vice Presidents and Secretaries, as well as State Chairmen and Secretaries.
All anniversary activities, including the award ceremony, will take place at the National Stadium, Abuja, from October 29 to 31, 2025.
