BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
A United Kingdom-based investor and philanthropist, Moses Ted Andishu, has urged journalists across the country to deploy their platforms as instruments of unity and national rebirth, insisting that sports remains one of Nigeria’s strongest unifying forces amid growing social divisions.
Andishu gave the charge at the weekend in Kaduna during his decoration as National Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
Andishu made the call at the weekend in Kaduna when he was decorated as a National Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), charging members to use their profession to positively influence public perception about sports.
He said journalists possess enormous capacity to shape national discourse and should leverage sports reporting to promote peace and cohesion, especially at a time the country faces deep social and economic challenges.
Recalling his childhood in Nigeria, Andishu said there was little consciousness of religious or ethnic divisions, stressing that sports remains one area where Nigerians still unite irrespective of background.
According to him, sports transcends religion, race and language, noting that supporters focus on their teams rather than the ethnicity or nationality of players, a reality he said underscores the unifying power of the sector.
He observed that Nigeria has not fully harnessed the potential of sports in fostering national integration and urged stakeholders to explore the sector more strategically.
The philanthropist expressed appreciation to SWAN for finding him worthy of the honour, assuring that he would contribute meaningfully to the growth of the association and the development of sports journalism in the country.
He stated that his life philosophy is centred on service and sharing resources, adding that true fulfilment comes not merely from acquiring knowledge and wealth but from disseminating them for societal benefit.
Though based in the United Kingdom, Andishu disclosed that he remains actively involved in grassroots sports development both abroad and in Nigeria, serving as a patron to sports establishments that function as feeder teams to football clubs in England.
He also sponsors the YSFON U-17 Boys Football Championship in North-West Nigeria and bankrolls the Inter-Secondary Schools Rugby Championship, initiatives aimed at nurturing young talents and expanding access to sports at the grassroots.
In his remarks, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin said the investiture was initially scheduled to hold during the association’s 60th anniversary celebration in Abuja last October, adding that the body is affiliated to the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) headquartered in Switzerland and has membership that extends beyond Nigeria.
Benjamin expressed confidence that Andishu’s wealth of experience and philanthropic track record would further strengthen the association’s programmes and outreach.
