The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Sports Writers Association of Nigeria) has been thrown into mourning following the deaths of two respected sports journalists, Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Temisan Okomi, describing their passing as a major blow to the Nigerian media and sporting community.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Secretary-General, Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin paid tribute to the late journalists, noting that both men made significant contributions to the growth and professionalism of sports reporting in Nigeria.
According to the association, their deaths represent an irreplaceable loss to the sports journalism family, as both dedicated their careers to covering athletes, competitions, and sporting developments with passion and integrity.
Temisan Okomi, a veteran broadcaster, reportedly died after a brief illness. Before his passing, he worked with Classic FM Nigeria, where he rose to become Head of Sports after more than a decade of service.
He also previously worked with HiTV and Lagos Television, earning recognition for his engaging presentation style and deep knowledge of sports.
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SWAN described Okomi as a professional whose voice and insight shaped sports broadcasting and inspired many young journalists entering the field.
Oyeniyi Oyeleke, on the other hand, was a former chairman of SWAN’s Lagos chapter and had a long career in sports journalism.
He previously worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and SuperSport, where he built a reputation for leadership and professionalism.
He was recently laid to rest in Offa, Kwara State, following his passing. SWAN noted that during his tenure as Lagos chairman, Oyeleke was committed to promoting unity, welfare, and ethical standards among sports journalists.
The association urged members of the media and sporting community to honour the legacies of both men by upholding the values they stood for—dedication, integrity, and excellence in sports journalism.
Their deaths, SWAN added, leave a vacuum in Nigerian sports reporting that will be difficult to fill.
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