SWAN donates trophy in memory of Nta Otobong
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has donated a trophy in memory of Late Nta Otobong a sports journalist with African Independent Television (AIT) who passed on recently.
The President of SWAN, Honour Sirawoo made the announcement when he led a delegation of the leadership of the association to pay a condolence visit to the management and staff of DAAR Communications owners of AIT.
He said the trophy would be competed for by members of the Association in FCT during their annual SWAN Week, adding that the gesture is to ensure that the young sports reporter who died as a result of injuries he sustained in an auto crash earlier in the year was always remembered.
Sirawoo equally extolled the virtues of the Late Otobong who he said was very hard-working and highly respectful.
“Otobong was committed to his job, there was hardly any week that passes without him calling to remind me that we need to play our role as promoters and watch dog in the sports sector; it is a sad news for the entire sports journalism family in Nigeria.” he said.
Responding, the Acting Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications, Tony Nwuya while thanking the SWAN President and his team for the gesture said the company is yet to come to terms that Otobong had died.
He regretted that the 28 year old sports journalist who was among those they were looking up to as the future of AIT had to die at his prime; emphasizing concern for his young wife and child whom he noted would be most affected by the unexpected demise of the reporter.
The Ag. GMD also described the deceased as a highly dedicated staff who was always ready to even take on any responsibility at short notice. “Nta was so enthusiastic and dedicated, and I want to urge other young journalists to emulate him. He was ready to go the extra mile and to learn. The entire organization was all out to support him but it is unfortunate that we lost him eventually.”
On the SWAN President’s entourage were the Secretary General, Jude Opara, Chairman of the FCT chapter, Ndubueze Chidoka and his Vice, Tolu Oguntimeyin, Secretary, Ikenna Okonkwo, Assistant secretary, Albert Akota and the Vice Chairman of Ekiti State chapter, Yaqub Popoola.
