"Gov. Sule, Makanjoula, Olopade, Others Receive SWAN Awards for Outstanding Contributions"

   

Makanjoula, Gov. Sule, Olopade, Others Honoured with SWAN Awards for Excellence

Renowned football promoter and philanthropist, Mr. Nureni Makanjuola, Chairman of Water Football Club, received a prestigious award from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on October 31, 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

At a ceremony held at the VIP lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Mr. Nureni Makanjuola was honoured with the SWAN Distinguished Service Award (SDSA) by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria. The event was part of a week-long celebration marking SWAN's 60th anniversary, with the theme "The Power of Sports Media: Honouring It's Legacy, Shaping The Future".

Speaking to sports journalists after receiving the award, Makanjuola, popularly known as "MK", expressed his delight at the recognition, thanking God for the opportunity to contribute to sports development, particularly in football.

In his words: “I feel happy, i feel good you know because we have been doing it and nobody recognized us but thank God that’s swan recognise people like us. I thank God because it is a privilege.

“You have been following me for many years and seen the work we do, I promise by God’s grace we shall do more.

“I feel happy , I am happy to be recognized by Swan .

 

In his words: “I feel happy, i feel good you know because we have been doing it and nobody recognized us but thank God that’s swan recognise people like us. I thank God because it is a privilege.

“You have been following me for many years and seen the work we do, I promise by God’s grace we shall do more.

“I feel happy , I am happy to be recognized by Swan .

When asked how the award will inspire him , MK said the awards has given him hope that whatever one does and doesn’t give up with time the results will begin to manifest.

“We were doing it before, They didn’t recognize us. And now that we can see that people recognize us, it gives me hope and it will motivate me to do more.

“Therefore, it will boost me to do more in terms of sport development for the benefits of the youth in Nigeria.

“It is a source of motivation to me and to my supporters”, Makanjuola said.

You may want to recall that Nureni, founder of Water FC Academy, has developed and sponsored numerous young talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria's national teams and play professionally in clubs across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

Other distinguished Nigerians including, the Director General, National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade, Chairman Federal Character Commission, FCC, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, Comptroller General Nigeria Customs, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi amongst others received awards of excellence in various categories.