Two weeks after Anambra was not participating at the 2nd National Council of Sports Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, the Patrick Estate Onyedum-led Anambra Sports Development Commission was also not represented at the just concluded 2025 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week Lecture and Recognition.
SWAN Week is an annual event where stakeholders in the sports sector gather to reflect on the activities in the outgoing year and also confer recognition to deserving persons and friends of sports.
The event marked the end of the two-day 2025 edition of SWAN Week by the Anambra Chapter of the association which started with Medical Outreach for journalists where no fewer than 50 benefited.
Investigation showed the chairman was invited as a Special Guest and Keynote speaker to inform the public about the development in Anambra sports sector in the last one year and by extension under Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
It is on record that the Chairman has never attended the event which brings together sports Journalists, sports administrators and other stakeholders since he assumed office in 2022.
His absence was so obvious that his predecessor, Tony Oli who spoke after receiving an honour expressed displeasure that Onyedum was not in attendance at such a crucial gathering of the sports family.
According to Oli: “I am surprised that my successor, Patrick, is not here, this is where he should be to feel the pulse of the public, you don’t stay away from where issues about you are discussed.”
This was the same question Dr Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information asked in the 2024 edition when he served as Chairman of the occasion.
Insiders say that was a huge opportunity missed or most likely, there was nothing to present to the public as a scorecard.
The absence of representatives of the Sports Commission was considered by many as a bad image for the Soludo administration’s effort in the sports sector. No reason was however adduced for his absence.
However, the 2025 SWAN Week Lecture and Recognition Night was a huge success with lectures on two crucial topics “Sudden Death Phenomenon: Why Fitness Alone is Not Enough” and “Positioning Anambra for Multi Million Dollar Sports Economy “ discussed.
Dr Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka and Henry Duru PhD of the Department of Mass Communications, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka delivered the lectures respectively.
In his lecture Njelita called on members of the public to go for regular checks of their vitals such as blood pressure, sugar levels, pulse and oxygen level.
Njelita said irregular or abnormal rates if these indicators could lead to medical emergencies such as syncope, diabetes and stroke.
He said blood pressure could only be managed but not cured and encouraged patients with high or low blood pressure to be religious in taking their management medicines while urging anybody above 40 years to take vasoprin daily to prevent stroke.
The medical expert said while it was important for people to engage in physical exercise in a bid to keep fit, they should avoid strenuous workouts that could drain them and trigger unhealthy changes in their blood pressure or heartbeat.
On his part, another paper presenter, Dr Henry Duru called on Soludo to prioritise sports as a key economic sector because sports had become both a major industry and external image strategy for advanced countries
He said it was regrettable that Anambra had not shown readiness to harness the opportunities in the sports economy.
He said that the transformative success in sports hinged on two foundational pillars: strategic Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and purpose driven infrastructure development.
He said the scale of investment required for a modern sports ecosystem far exceeded the capacity of government budgets alone.
According to him, there is also the need for modern, multi-purpose sports infrastructure which is the physical foundation necessary for talent discovery, athlete conditioning, and hosting commercially viable competitions.
“Infrastructure is the most visible sign of commitment to a sports economy, it ranges from community playgrounds and local sports halls to international standard stadiums.
“The challenge lies not just in policy formulation but in the consistent and transparent implementation of these plans.
“For Anambra to fully tap into the lucrative sports economy, the convergence of political will, private investment, and professional management will be essential,” he said.
Special recognitions including Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Gov Chukwuma Soludo and CP Ikioye Orutugu, Commissioner of Police, Anambra Command for their positive contributions to sports and the society.
Aburime was honoured for his contributions to the media and support for sports journalism in Anambra while Ikioye was recognised for his community policing strategy which had stability to Anambra security environment.
Other honourees at the event were Chief Tony Oli Pioneer Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission for vision and impact on sports as well as Dr Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rick Foundation Hospital for Public Health Advocacy crusade.
Chief Obinna Ezema, Managing Director CEO Cosmila Suites and Hotel for promoting sports in the hospitality sector while Barr Chukwudi Oli for his intervention in sports infrastructure in his community, Nri Anaocha Local Government Area.
