An Ebonyian, Chief Jasper Egwu Okoro has been selected for special national recognition as part of activities marking the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria scheduled to hold next week at the Moshood Abioloa National Stadium Abuja.
The honor, according to Ikenna Okonkwo the secretary general of SWAN, is in recognition of the outstanding contributions and enduring service of the nominee to the growth and integrity of sports in Nigeria.
A letter to Chief Okoro who has served as the South East zonal scribe of SWAN states that: “Over the years, your commitment, mentorship, and passion for the craft have inspired generations of journalist and enriched the nation’s sporting narrative”.
The SWAN further described him as a valued pioneer and pillar of journalism, stating that the recognition is a token of appreciation for the sacrifices and legacy in promoting sports experience, fairness and credibility in sports reporting.
Jasper Okoro’s exploits in sports spans from the East Central states era in which he bagged sports medals in games of boxing, table tennis, high jump, pole vault and football and later excelled in Amateur boxing as tournament official- Referee Judge. He also served as member of Amateur Boxing Association in various states of the country including Plateau, Abia, Oyo and old Anambara and lmo States. These earned him the nick name -All Games.
This is not the first time Okoro has gotten national recognition in the journalism profession. He, alongside five others, emerged winners in a keenly contested maiden competition organized by the United African Company in association with the U.A.C. London in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The honors were conferred on the six recipients at Ikoyi, Lagos by the
U.A.C. Chairman, Chief Ernest Shenekan who later became the interim Head-of-State and Commander-In-Chief of the federal republic of Nigeria. Other recipients then were: Mike Sowe, Dimgba Igwe, Segun Ogunseton, Matthias Igbarunah and Soji Omotunde.
The present SWAN award is a plus and merit to Ebonyi which has in the recent, produced two national officers of the association.
Chief Jasper Okoro however said he dedicates the award to the late Sam Aka ibiam , the pioneer Nigerian goal keeper who was his mentor and coach , late Chief Clifford Enehi, a onetime Director, National Sports Commission and honor Sirawo, a past President of SWAN.