Written By Akeem Busari (Sports Correspondent)
The Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, JP, was officially installed to the exalted seat on Saturday in llorin, Kwara state, by the National Council of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.
Speaking after the investiture, the National President of the Sports Writers Association, Mallam Saidu Abubakar, praised the immense contributions of Chief Ejidike to the development of sports in the country.
"This is a deserved honour and also a unanimous one in view of the selfless contributions of Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, to the development and growth of sports in Nigeria. And we hope it would spur him to doing more for sports in the country," Abubakar enthused.
Responding to the honour done to him, an obviously elated Ejidike thanked SWAN, as he acknowleged that the honour is a challenge for him to do more for sports in the country.
"l feel greatly honoured and l say thank you to God Almighty and to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, "Ejidike said.
The Pillar Of Sports, who took the exalted seat vacated by the late Chief MKO Abiola and Prince Dokun Abidoye, went ahead to promise his total and unflinching commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria.
He admonished well placed individuals and the private sector to do more than paying lip-service to the development of sports in the country.
"Sports worldwide has become progressively capital intensive," the multiple award winning businessman cum sports philantropist stated.
He continued: "Yet history shows that government have almost single-handedly shouldered the responsibility of sports development in Nigeria. And Unfortunately, there is just minimal private sector participation," he lamented.
According to him, the rise in crimes could also be attributed to the apparent lack of sports facilities in the country and inadequate sponsorship by the private sector.
"Our natives today produce criminals. And not because it is their nature, but because their simple system of order and tradition have been destroyed, "he added regretfully.
Conclusively, the Nigeria Pillar Of Sports, who also doubles as the President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, promised to work closely with SWAN to further champion the cause of sports in Nigeria.