MEDIA
Sports enthusiast and president’s spokesman, Adesina gets national honour
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Like his childhood football hero, the late Muda Lawal, spokesman for Nigeria’s president, Chief Femi Victor Adesina will be conferred with the national honour, Order of the Niger (OON).
This is consequent of the approval of President Buhari for the conferment of National Honours on two past Presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). The recipients are Femi Adesina and Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye.
Letters to that effect, dated September 19, 2022 and signed by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, were addressed to the awaiting recipients of the national awards. They will be honoured in Abuja on Tuesday 11 October.
Adesina, the Nwanne Di na mba’’ of Mmaku kingdom in Enugu State is a sports enthusiast and author of the book, “The Shooting Stars : The Golden Era of a Soccer Team”, published in 1992.
The then IICC Shooting Stars and also the national football team, then called Green Eagles, camped in Adesina’s family hotel, Olugbon Hotel in Adesina’s hometown, Ipetumodu, near Ile Ife.
Muda Lawal, his childhood hero was on 14 March 1991 became the first Nigerian footballer to be officially designated as Soccer Ambassador. .He remained the only one that was so ceremonially installed by a President in Office. The honour went with the national award of Order of the Niger (OON), the same title that Chief Adesina will get on 11 October.
At the end of his tour of duty as Special Adviser to President Buhari, he will easily have had the longest tenure as the chief spokesman to any Nigerian leader.
In the course of serving his principal, he has met many world leaders.
Veteran sports journalist Mumini Alao is set to unveil his much-anticipated autobiography on August 10 at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with a distinguished lineup of guests from Nigeria’s political and sports spheres expected to grace the occasion.
The event, which will take place at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall in Akoka, will serve as both a celebration of Alao’s illustrious career spanning over three decades and a platform for engaging national discourse on sports development.
A public lecture titled “Rethinking the Current Football Business Model in Nigeria as a Catalyst for Sports Development” will accompany the launch.
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, will deliver the keynote address, while Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), will chair the occasion.
Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, will co-launch the book, and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, is billed as a special guest.
Mumini Alao, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected sports journalists, is currently Executive Consultant at Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper. He previously served as Group Managing Director of the company.
Alao holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Mass Communication from UNILAG and is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) as well as an associate of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).
In 2023, he was inducted into the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CiArb), reflecting his broader professional footprint.
The book launch promises to be a landmark gathering, bringing together thought leaders to reflect on Alao’s journey and the broader trajectory of Nigerian sports.
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In a disturbing development highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in North Africa, French sports reporter Christophe Gleizes has been sentenced to seven years in prison by an Algerian court for simply doing his job.
Gleizes, a contributor to acclaimed French publications So Foot and Society, was convicted on Sunday, June 29, by the Tizi Ouzou court on charges of “apology for terrorism” and “possession of publications intended to spread propaganda that harms the national interest.” An immediate arrest warrant was issued.
The verdict has sparked outrage in press freedom circles and sports journalism communities, as observers label the trial as politically motivated and devoid of credible evidence.
Gleizes, co-author of the investigative book Magique Système, which explores the exploitation of African footballers, had travelled to Algeria in spring 2024 to research a story on JS Kabylie—one of the country’s most storied football clubs from the 1980s. He was also preparing a tribute to the late Cameroonian footballer Albert Ebossé, who died under mysterious circumstances after a match in Algeria in 2014.
His arrest on May 28, 2024, was reportedly linked to past online exchanges (from 2015 and 2017) with a local football club figure associated with the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), a group banned in Algeria. However, his 2024 interactions were reportedly limited strictly to football-related inquiries for his feature on JSK.
For over a year, Gleizes had been trapped in Algeria under judicial supervision, barred from leaving the country—a form of de facto house arrest. Now, with a harsh prison sentence handed down, the case is seen as yet another blow to press freedom in Algeria, particularly for journalists covering sensitive issues, even in sports.
Many in the football and media world are calling for Gleizes’ immediate release, condemning what they describe as the criminalisation of journalism and the silencing of free expression under the guise of national security.
The case raises fresh concerns about the increasingly hostile environment for international journalists in the region—even those covering the beautiful game.
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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has officially unveiled the commemorative logo for its 60th anniversary, marking a major milestone in the Association’s illustrious journey since its establishment in 1964.
The body was founded on February 1, 1964, when a group of journalists met in Lagos. The founding leaders who met at the Broad Street Lagos offices of Daily Times elected Adebayo Thompson of Morning Post as their founding chairman.
Babington Bakare was elected as the vice chairman. The founding secretary was Maurice Domboh of West African Pilot while the treasurer was Ishola Folorunsho of the Radio Nigeria. Cyril Kappo of Daily Times was the inaugural assistant secretary while Ajibade Fashina-Thomas of Daily Times was the publicity secretary.
The ex-officio members were Peter Osugo (Daily Times) and Sola Oluwole of Daily Express.
In reality, SWAN will be celebrating 60 years plus one. According to a press statement by the national executive of SWAN, the unveiling of the anniversary logo signals the beginning of a series of activities lined up to celebrate six decades of outstanding contributions to sports journalism, development, and advocacy in Nigeria.
The logo, creatively designed in vibrant green and white, proudly incorporates the figure “60” and the SWAN emblem — a reflection of the Association’s legacy and enduring impact in the sporting landscape of the country.
A ribbon bearing the inscription “Years Anniversary” boldly affirms the significance of the diamond jubilee.
SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin described the unveiling as a symbolic moment of pride, reflection, and rededication.
“As we unveil this logo, we are not just celebrating the past 60 years, but also reigniting our collective commitment to professionalism, integrity, and the promotion of sports through responsible journalism,” he stated.
He added that the anniversary celebration will feature a rich lineup of activities, including awards, public lectures, media games, recognition of sports icons and veterans, as well as a gala night to honour distinguished personalities who have supported SWAN’s mission over the years.
The three-day anniversary event will be held in October, aligning with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
The 60th anniversary comes as SWAN intensifies its role in shaping narratives around sports governance, policy, and inclusive participation across all levels.
Members of the media, partners, stakeholders, and the general public are enjoined to join in the celebration of this historic achievement and support the Association’s vision for the future.
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