MEDIA
Former SWAN Chief, Ndubuoke, Charges Nigerian Sportswriters to Uphold Ethics Amid Rising Corruption
A former National President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Fan Ndubuoke, has raised concerns over declining ethical standards in Nigerian sports journalism, warning that the profession risks losing its credibility if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
Ndubuoke, who spoke at a workshop organised by Imo SWAN, delivered a thought-provoking paper titled “The Burden of Finding a Balance Between Patriotism and Professionalism: The Ethical Questions.” In it, he highlighted the growing tension sports journalists face between national loyalty and professional integrity.
He noted that while patriotism, professionalism, and ethics are fundamental pillars of journalism, their application in Nigeria’s media environment has become increasingly complex due to political pressures, economic hardship, and institutional decay.
“The sportswriter is expected to state facts without fear or favour, yet in doing so, he may be labelled unpatriotic or even face intimidation,” Ndubuoke said, describing the profession as one fraught with difficult choices about loyalty—to the truth, the state, or media proprietors.
The former board member of the Nigeria Football Association lamented what he described as the “erosion of values” within the sporting press, attributing it largely to corruption and the growing influence of political patronage. According to him, many practitioners have abandoned professional excellence in pursuit of financial benefits and political connections.
This shift, he warned, has led to a loss of investigative journalism, weakened critical analysis, and a decline in creativity and independence within the profession.
Ndubuoke also took a swipe at the broader sports administration system in Nigeria, describing it as lacking legal structure and accountability. He likened the system to a “Ponzi scheme,” where resources are concentrated in the hands of a few administrators while athletes and grassroots development suffer neglect.
He further accused sections of the sporting press of enabling this dysfunction by celebrating administrators, ignoring institutional irregularities, and, in some cases, benefiting from unethical practices such as inducements and unofficial allowances.
“The question we must ask is: who is holding these institutions accountable?” he queried, calling for greater scrutiny of sports governance and financial transparency.
On the ethical responsibilities of journalists, Ndubuoke emphasised the need for truth, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and accountability. He decried a culture where “imaginary superstars” are created, unmerited praise is given, and reportage is compromised by financial interests tied to administrators, agents, and coaches.
He linked these ethical lapses to wider challenges in Nigerian sports, including questionable player selections, neglect of home-based talents, and persistent crises within sports federations.
Addressing the delicate balance between patriotism and professionalism, Ndubuoke cautioned against blind loyalty, stressing that true patriotism lies in speaking the truth for national development.
“A journalist who suppresses the truth in the name of patriotism is neither patriotic nor professional,” he stated.
He urged SWAN to return to its founding principles, including promoting professionalism, defending members’ welfare, and contributing meaningfully to sports development, rather than serving as an extension of government or administrative interests.
Ndubuoke concluded by calling on sports journalists to remain steadfast in their commitment to ethical standards, insisting that only through integrity and professionalism can the association reclaim its role as a credible voice in Nigerian sports.
The workshop served as a platform for reflection on the future of sports journalism in Nigeria, with participants challenged to restore public trust and reposition the profession as a driver of accountability and development.
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The Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola, has commended the organisers of the annual Sportsville Special Recognition Award for sustaining the initiative and maintaining consistency since its inception.
Popoola, a former international hockey player, remarked on Thursday night after receiving a briefing on preparations for this year’s ceremony scheduled for March 28 at the Lagos Country Club.
Speaking during the briefing, Popoola praised the organisers for keeping the awards running successfully over the years.
“I must commend you guys for doing a great job. I can’t believe this is already the sixth edition. I am glad about the sustenance of this laudable initiative,” he said.
He noted that consistency remains a major challenge for many initiatives in Nigeria, adding that the Sportsville Awards have distinguished themselves by staying true to their vision.
“One thing I have seen and observed in Nigeria is that only a few organisations like yours are consistent when it comes to pursuing their vision. I am excited that Sportsville is making all the difference because it is consistency that builds big brands globally,” Popoola added.
In his response, the Chief Executive Officer of Sportsville, Frank Ilaboya, thanked the NOC secretary general for recognising what he described as the organisation’s modest contribution to the nation’s sports ecosystem.
Ilaboya, a former chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter, said the organisers remain committed to building a credible platform that celebrates excellence in Nigerian sports.
“We are here for the long haul. The vision is clear—to build a brand that is not only credible but one that will stand the test of time. I am very positive that the Sportsville Special Recognition Award will achieve this status in a few years to come,” he said.
The sixth edition of the awards ceremony will be chaired by the Chairman of Brila Media Group, Larry Izamoje, one of Nigeria’s foremost sports media entrepreneurs.
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Organisers of one of Nigeria’s most glamorous and credible sports award ceremonies have announced March 28 as the date for this year’s edition of the Sportsville Special Recognition Award.
According to a statement signed by Harry Iwuala, Chairman of the 2026 Award Committee, the ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 28, at the prestigious Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.
Iwuala, who also serves as Media Director of the Nigeria Premier Football League, described the announcement as the culmination of months of meticulous planning and a painstaking selection process.
“We’re delighted to announce a date for this year’s ceremony following a painstaking planning and selection process. It has been months of planning and preparations, and I am glad that we have finally picked a date for the ceremony,” Iwuala said.
He assured stakeholders that the list of honourees — to be unveiled in the coming weeks — would reflect the award’s core values of integrity and credibility.
“We will be unveiling the personalities and corporate organisations to be celebrated very soon, but I can assure you that they are men and women who have done a good job in sports development in the country.
“Our selection process was thorough to keep faith with the Award motto, which is credibility,” added Iwuala, who has also headed the Media Committee of the successful Niger Delta Games in successive editions.
Sixth Edition Promises Innovation
Speaking on behalf of Sportsville Communication Ltd, the organisers of the award, Chief Executive Officer Frank Ilaboya, said preparations are already in top gear for what promises to be an innovative sixth edition.
“This year will be our sixth edition, and I am happy with the impact and progress the award has made in the country,” Ilaboya stated.
He emphasised that credibility remains the cornerstone of the awards.
“One thing that gives me joy is the credibility of the award we give out every year. We ensure that those truly deserving get the award. And we are determined to keep doing this year after year.”
According to Ilaboya, awards will be presented in seven categories this year:
- Sports Icon
- Sports Personality
- Sports Transformative Category
- Special Recognition Category
- Achievers Category
- Innovative Category
- Sports Facilities Category
He added that the long-term ambition is to elevate the Sportsville Special Recognition Award into Africa’s most glamorous and respected sports honours platform.
“We will keep on working hard year in and year out until we achieve our target of making the Sportsville Special Recognition Award the best and most glamorous not only in Nigeria but in Africa.
“The past five years have proven to be exciting, and the level of plaudits from the awardees and non-awardees alike shows that we are on the right course,” Ilaboya said.
Celebrating Two Decades of Sports Broadcasting
The Sportsville Special Recognition Award was initiated five years ago as part of activities marking 20 years of continuous broadcast of Sportsville as an independent producer of sports programming in Nigeria.
Today, Sportsville stands as one of the longest-running independent sports shows on air in sub-Saharan Africa — a testament to resilience, consistency, and commitment to sports development.
With the March 28 date now confirmed, anticipation is building within Nigeria’s sporting community as administrators, athletes, corporate sponsors and media personalities look forward to another evening of celebration at Lagos Country Club.
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Journalists in Akwa Ibom State and beyond are set to converge in Uyo for a one-day workshop on investigative journalism organised by the Committee for the Ray Ekpu Prize for Investigative Journalism in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The workshop, scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2026, will take place at the NUJ Auditorium, Information Drive, Uyo, beginning at 10 a.m.
Organisers say the training is designed to strengthen investigative reporting skills among journalists, enhance ethical standards, and deepen the culture of accountability journalism in Nigeria.
The keynote lecture will be delivered by Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Abuja. Aiyetan, a respected investigative journalist and media development expert, is expected to share insights on contemporary investigative techniques, data-driven reporting, and navigating legal and safety challenges in the field.
Supporting the keynote address will be Ibanga Isine, an investigative reporting veteran based in Uyo. Isine will provide practical perspectives drawn from years of field experience, focusing on story development, sourcing, and sustaining impactful investigations at the local level.
Chairman of the Committee for the Ray Ekpu Prize for Investigative Journalism, Nsikak Essien, FNGE, described the workshop as part of ongoing efforts to promote excellence and integrity in journalism. He noted that investigative reporting remains a critical pillar of democratic governance and public accountability.
Also lending his voice to the initiative, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ, Nsibiet John, urged journalists in the state to take advantage of the opportunity to sharpen their skills and reinforce professional standards.
The Ray Ekpu Prize for Investigative Journalism was instituted to encourage rigorous, fact-based reporting and to honour outstanding contributions to investigative journalism in Nigeria.
Participants are expected to engage in interactive sessions, discussions, and practical exchanges to equip them with tools to uncover hidden truths and report with courage and responsibility.
The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing a new generation of investigative journalists capable of holding institutions accountable and advancing public interest reporting in the country.
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