The National Leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has named Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the Distinguished Governor of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
According to SWAN, the award will be formally presented to the Governor on Friday, October 31, during the association’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary celebration.
Announcing the honour in Benin City on Tuesday, Edo State SWAN Chairman, Comrade Kehinde Osagiede, said the decision to recognise Governor Okpebholo was based on his remarkable achievements and commitment to repositioning sports within his first year in office.
Osagiede made the announcement when he led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua. He explained that the visit was also to formally introduce the new Edo SWAN executive—who assumed office about a year ago—and to strengthen the association’s partnership with the state government.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo was carefully selected for this honour in appreciation of his remarkable strides in sports development,” Osagiede said, adding that the association remains committed to collaborating with the government to promote sporting excellence across the state.
He also congratulated Prince Afegbua on his appointment as Commissioner, noting that as the state’s chief spokesperson, it was important to brief him about the forthcoming award ceremony.
In his response, Prince Kassim Afegbua expressed appreciation to SWAN for recognising Governor Okpebholo’s efforts and for its continued support in advancing the sports sector in Edo.
While disclosing that the Governor was on an official engagement in Ekiti State, Afegbua promised to convey the honour to him and encouraged sports journalists to maintain balanced and constructive reportage of activities involving Bendel Insurance FC, Edo Queens, and other state-backed sports initiatives.
“The Edo State Government will continue to collaborate with SWAN to further enhance sports development in the state,” Afegbua assured.
Other members of the Edo SWAN executive who accompanied Osagiede on the visit included General Secretary, Moses Idahosa; Assistant Secretary, Mansa Ayoola Adeleke; Financial Secretary, Joseph Kanjo; and Comrade Aliu Ozioruva.
