Benue SWAN Chairperson Makes History as First Female SWANECO Chairman
The Chairperson of the Benue State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Hembadoon Orsar, has made history after being inaugurated as Chairperson of the SWAN Electoral Committee (SWANECO) ahead of the association’s national elections.
Orsar becomes the first woman in the history of SWAN in Nigeria to head the electoral committee responsible for conducting the association’s national elections, marking another milestone in the growing inclusion of women in sports journalism administration.
The inauguration was performed during a virtual meeting of the SWAN Full Council on Thursday night by SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, who described her appointment as merit-driven and urged the committee to deliver a transparent and credible electoral process.
“Your choice is based on merit and I urge you to conduct a free, fair and credible election,” Benjamin stated while congratulating members of the committee on their appointments.
In her acceptance speech, Orsar expressed appreciation to the SWAN National Executive Committee for the confidence reposed in her and pledged the committee’s commitment to an inclusive and credible election in line with the constitution of the association.
“We want to thank the National Executive members of SWAN led by Isaiah Benjamin for finding us worthy of this rare opportunity to serve in this committee, and I pledge the committee’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in us,” she said.
She further assured members that the committee would conduct a free, fair, and widely acceptable election while carrying all stakeholders along throughout the process.
Orsar had earlier made history in 2024 when she emerged as Chairperson of the Benue State chapter of SWAN, becoming the first woman from North Central Nigeria to occupy the position since the creation of Benue State in 1976.
Her emergence as the first female SWANECO chairperson is being widely regarded as another landmark moment for women’s representation and leadership within the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.
