Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Desmond Akawor has tasked sports journalists in the state to place the state first in the discharge of their duties.
Akawor gave this charge while receiving Executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State chapter who paid him a courtesy visit at his Aba Road office.
The SWAN Executives, led by Chairman, Sarah David had visited to intimate him of their plans and action towards repositioning the association; a development Akawor was quick to identify with.
Akawor, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of South Korea began by eulogising Sports Writers for their role in keeping their audience updated during the Covid-19 pandemic which ravaged many countries of the world last year.
“Your role came out clear during the Covid-19 pandemic time when spectators were not allowed to enter into venues of sporting activities,” began Amb. Akawor.
“From wherever you found yourselves, people were now getting information on what was going on. Imagine what could have happened if the Sports Writers were not there? It could have looked as if Sports was completely closed down so your role is very important.’
While assuring SWAN Rivers of his party’s support in their subsequent activities, Ambassador Akawor enjoined pen pushers to do their best to tell their stories in the most appropriate manners towards uplifting the state.
“During your tenure and in this your position, whatever the party can do to support you, we will do it because it is not for you but for Rivers people.
We are to play a role for Rivers state, and not for the party or another party but our support is for the state.
“For us, we will in turn request for you to preach the same gospel to other people (your colleagues) to take Rivers state first in whatever programmes you have.
“To place the interest of Rivers State and wherever you find yourselves, you see yourselves as an ambassador of Rivers State and that is the only way we can blow our trumpets and tell our stories,” Akawor posited.
Responding, SWAN Rivers Chairman, Sarah David thanked Ambassador Akawor for his reception and contribution towards the development of Sports in the state. She singled out Akawor’s genuine interest in the feminine folk part of which led him to announcing monetary rewards for Rivers Angels in their quest to conquer Africa as a commendable gesture.
