Lifestyle

Oba Adetunji left a vacuum seriously difficult to fill – Oyo SWAN

By Web News 966

Members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Oyo State chapter have expressed shock at the journey of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 to his ancestors. 

In a statement by Chairman, Oyo SWAN, Olaolu Fawole, the sports journalists described the journey of the royal father to his ancestors as very painful.

The association notes that the royal father would be greatly missed for his contributions to the development of the ancient city of Ibadan and Oyo state as a whole, particularly his indelible contributions to sports.

“We express our condolences to the family of the Olubadan, all Ibadan indigenes as well as residents of the ancient city”. His contributions to sports development in the state are unquantifiable and the royal father has left a vacuum that is seriously difficult for anyone to fill”. The statement added.

The 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland passed away this morning, Sunday, 2nd January 2022, at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan at the age of 93.

Olaolu Fawole 

Sport

Oyo SWAN/Pensioners Indoor Games 2020 Ends On A High Note

By Web News 810

The maiden edition of the Oyo SWAN-Pensioners Indoor Games has ended in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, with contestants going home with prizes, certificates and memories that will linger on for a long time.

The event which began on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP headquarters, Africa’s Model House, Onireke also formed part of a reunion for the participants. 

While declaring the tournament closed, the Oyo State Executive Secretary of the Union, Mr Olusegun Abatan said next year’s edition will cut across all pensioners in the state.

Mr Abatan, who commended Oyo SWAN for organising such laudable sporting event said engaging in sports by senior citizens remain a factor that assist in making old people live longer.

Earlier, Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Mr Olaolu Fawole commended the participants for their efforts, endurance and spirit of sportsmanship throughout the programme. 

At the end of the competition, Tokunbo Britto emerged winner in the Draught event, Banji Kolesho came second while Princess Aina Sandy clinched the bronze medal.

In the Cards category, Muili Solaja won gold, Mojeed Adejumo came second, while former International Table Tennis Player and Coach, Sola Abiodun went home with bronze medal.

Okunola Adeshina outclassed Funke Ibijoju in the final of Ayo Olopon to emerge winner, while Veronica Akinola settled for the third position.

The programme also witnessed presentation of certificates to members of Oyo SWAN for their active roles in the planning and execution of the 2020 Oyo SWAN Pensioners Indoor Games.

Adedayo Adelowo

Sport

Oyo SWAN Partners NUP for Maiden Pensioners Indoor Games

By Web News 736

The maiden edition of Oyo SWAN pensioners’ indoor games begins tomorrow in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The event, which is organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Oyo State Chapter in collaboration with Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

According to Chairman, SWAN, Oyo State Chapter, Olaolu Fawole, senior citizens will compete for laurels in Ayo Olopon, draughts and cards during the two days sporting event.

Fawole disclosed that the maiden edition would be used to test run the programme, assuring that subsequent editions would be more competitive.

Fawole explained further that the competition would equally afford the participants to wine and dine, as it was meant to make them relax.

Oyo SWAN helmsman, who added that every participant would be issued a certificate of participation, while winners in each category would be presented with prizes.

Fawole added that for years, focus had always been on younger generations when it came to sports programmes and Oyo SWAN deemed it fit to bring senior citizens together and make them to know that they could win prizes from the games they had been playing at the corner of their homes.

Oyo SWAN chairman maintained that the association would not relent at promoting sports through journalism, which has been the motto of the association.

PR/Adedayo Adelowo 

Lifestyle

Oyo SWAN, Gateway United FC Commiserate with Late Gbolagade Busari’s Family

By Web News 662

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Oyo State Chapter has sent a condolence message to the family of Busari and Management of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan over the loss of Alhaji Gbolagade Busari, the immediate past Chairman of 3SC

Alhaji Busari  passed on Monday morning at the University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan

 A statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Association, Comrade Olaolu Fawole and Secretary, Olusegun Adesoji, describes the death as a huge loss to the entire state.

“The entire members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria , SWAN Oyo State Chapter received with rude shock the sudden demise of the immediate past Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, Alhaji Gbolagade Busari. 

This is no doubt a double tragedy for both the state and of course the entire members of the Fourth Estate.” The statement notes.

Busoo, as fondly called was a sports correspondent with Sketch Press and made a huge impact in the printing world

“While we pray the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest, we ask the Almighty Allah to give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

Similarly, the management of Gateway United FC has mourned the demise of the immediate past chairman of Shooting Stars FC , Alhaji Gbolagade Busari who died at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.

 The Acting General Manager of the Ogun State based club, Mr Niyi Soleye described the former sports journalist as a football lover and passionate supporter of the Ibadan based club whose contributions to the team will forever remain indelible especially when he was the chairman.

Mr Soleye said Nigerian football had lost another colossus and a jolly fellow.

He prayed God to grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

PR/Adedayo Adelowo/Segun Folarin

News Sport

Oyo SWAN Commiserates with Governor Makinde Over Mother’s Death

By Web News 775

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Oyo State Chapter, has commiserated with Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who lost his mother in the early hours of Thursday 15th, October, 2020 at the age of 81.

The Association’s Chairman, Comrade Olaolu Fawole who expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the matriarch described the death of Mrs Abigail Mojolagbe Makinde as painful loss to the entire state

” On behalf on the entire members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN,Oyo State Chapter, I write to convey my heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde and the good people of the Pace Setters State over the demise of His Excellency’s mother.

” The demise of our joyful mother is no doubt a great loss to the entire family and of course the state as a whole. The joy we have is that Mama lived a fulfilled and impactful life and the benefiaries of extension of her love would forever remain grateful to the Matriarch. She is a prayer warrior who spent all her energy and resources to nurture her children to enviable heights .Our governor will surely miss her motherly roles”.

Fawole, who is a member of staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria further charged the people’s governor to rejoice in the fact that Mama fulfilled destiny in grandstyle and due for heavenly bliss”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our Governor and the entire family to have the fortitude to bear the loss and the Almighty God grant her eternal rest”, Fawole prayed

The Association’s Chairman, Comrade Olaolu Fawole who expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the matriarch described the death of Mrs Abigail Mojolagbe Makinde as painful loss to the entire state

” On behalf on the entire members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN,Oyo State Chapter, I write to convey my heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde and the good people of the Pace Setters State over the demise of His Excellency’s mother.

” The demise of our joyful mother is no doubt a great loss to the entire family and of course the state as a whole. The joy we have is that Mama lived a fulfilled and impactful life and the benefiaries of extension of her love would forever remain grateful to the Matriarch. She is a prayer warrior who spent all her energy and resources to nurture her children to enviable heights .Our governor will surely miss her motherly roles”.

Fawole, who is a member of staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria further charged the people’s governor to rejoice in the fact that Mama fulfilled destiny in grandstyle and due for heavenly bliss”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our Governor and the entire family to have the fortitude to bear the loss and the Almighty God grant her eternal rest”, Fawole prayed

Lifestyle

Ajibade Babalade created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill – Oyo SWAN

By Web News 975

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, Oyo State Chapter has said that the death of Former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade has created a vacuum that would be hard to fill.

In a statement by the Oyo State Chairman of SWAN, Olaolu Fawole and made available to newsmen, the association said his death came at a time when the sports fraternity was still mourning.

The statement described the death of the never-say-never defender as very shocking due to the fact that he never showed any sign of illness.

“Sports writers in Oyo State condole his family and the entire football circle and pray God grant him eternal rest” the statement adds.

Aged 48, Ajibade Babalade who died last Friday was a member of the Super Eagles team that won bronze at the 1992 Nations Cup in Senegal. 

He was a dependable defender during his active days at Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, Stationery Stores of Lagos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, Africa Sports of Cote de’ Ivoire and Strum Graz of Austria.

PR/Adedayo Adelowo

Lifestyle

FRCN Zonal Director, Veteran Journalists, Mourn Late Bode Oyewole

By Web News 970

Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, has described a former Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, late Elder Bode Oyewole as a mentor and very hardworking man.

Alhaji Bello said this while reacting to the death of the football administrator who died on Tuesday in Ibadan during a brief illness.

He stated that the late Elder Oyewole was a total representation of a media professional.

Alhaji Bello added that the late Elder Oyewole would be greatly missed for his contributions to the media profession. 

Also, two veteran journalists, Alhaji Wole Abioye and Prince Adeolu Adeyefa have described the death of Elder Bode Oyewole as very devastating. 

While Prince Adeyefa expressed shock over the demise of the seasoned Journalist, Alhaji Abioye stated that the late Oyewole, who was his colleague for many years, was a thorough-bred journalist, who did not condone laziness.

Alhaji Abioye, a retired Deputy Director News of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, said the late Oyewole was only complaining of cough when he got a call from him two days before his death.

He then prayed God to grant the late Oyewole eternal rest.

Elder Bode Oyewole who retired as a management staff of the Federal Radio Corporation, Ibadan National Station, was a former chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo State chapter and a patron of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Oyo State chapter.

Olaolu Fawole