Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been inducted into the Nigeria Order of Sports and honoured with the Distinguished Governor Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for his remarkable contributions to sports development in Delta State and Nigeria.
The honour was conferred on Friday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, during the grand finale of SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism.
In presenting the award, SWAN commended Governor Oborevwori for his administration’s commitment to sports infrastructure, youth empowerment, and support for sports journalism. The association cited the state’s continued hosting of major sporting events such as the National Youth Games, the reconstruction of the Warri Township Stadium, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of sporting facilities across Delta State.
Additional highlights of Delta’s achievements under Oborevwori included the sustained dominance of Team Delta at the National Sports Festival, robust grassroots and school sports initiatives, a dedicated athletes’ welfare programme, and notable contributions to Team Nigeria at international competitions.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Fred Edoreh — who was also conferred with the SWAN Fellowship Award — expressed gratitude to the association for recognizing Delta State’s progress in sports and other developmental sectors. Edoreh praised SWAN for its longstanding role in promoting national development through sports reportage.
Other award recipients included former Super Eagles coaches Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia, Olympic medalists Daniel Igali, Chika Chukwumerije, and Blessing Oborodudu.
Dignitaries present at the event were Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko; Director-General Bukola Olopade; former Minister of Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; Director-General of the National Institute for Sports and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu; former Director-General of the National Sports Commission and traditional ruler, HRH Dr. Alhassan Yakmut; and the Ochi'Idoma, HRH Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John.