Preparations have gathered momentum for the second edition of the Newstap/Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) 5-Star Award, scheduled to hold on March 6 at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.

Organisers have confirmed that the event will be chaired by Prince Anthony Adeboye, Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Kunle Salami, the organisers said the choice of Adeboye reflects the growing prestige and credibility of the award.

“Considering the stature and glamour the Newstap/SWAN 5-Star Award has attained within just two years, we are pleased to confirm that the second edition, scheduled for March 6 at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos, will be chaired by the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Mr President, Prince Anthony Adeboye,” Salami said.

He added that the calibre of award recipients further underscores the integrity and credibility of the initiative.

“The quality of personalities being honoured attests to the credibility of the award. We are set for another outstanding event, which will be a marked improvement on the maiden edition,” he stated.

Salami explained that the award is designed to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria, while also encouraging them to do more and inspiring broader support for sports.

Five eminent Nigerians will be honoured at this year’s ceremony. They include Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State; Philip Shaibu, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS); Yetunde Olopade, Managing Director/CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited; club owner Chief Robert Onyeani; and internationally acclaimed boxing promoter Omonlei Yakubu Imadu.

The maiden edition of the award was chaired by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

Recipients of the inaugural awards included Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State; businessman and philanthropist Kunle Soname; Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Barrister Paul Edeh; GTI Managing Director, Abubakar Lawal; and Ebi Egbe, Managing Director of Monimichelle Construction Company.5