Abuja-based football administrator and philanthropist, Makanjuola Nureni, was on Friday honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) due to his outstanding contributions towards the development of sports and continuous support for newsmen in the country.
The award was given in Abuja during the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of SWAN for continually promoting excellence in sports journalism for 60 years.
Expressing gratitude after receiving the award, Nureni described it as both inspiring and motivating. He said the award gave him hope and motivation to do more. “This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It is a source of inspiration for me and my supporters, and I believe it will encourage us to invest more in youth sports development in Nigeria,” he said.
He said the recognition was a moral boost after years of quiet impact within the sports community. “I feel happy and fulfilled because we have been doing this for decades, and many times our efforts went unnoticed. But I thank God that SWAN recognised people like us,” he added.
Nureni is the founder and owner of Water FC Academy, a popular Abuja-based football institution dedicated to unearthing, nurturing, and empowering young Nigerian talents. Over the years, Water FC has consistently churned out several players who have represented Nigeria’s national teams and played professionally in clubs across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
While presenting the award, SWAN hailed Nureni’s commitment to the development of sports and his relentless support for sports journalism and youths. They added that he has been a “true partner in promoting excɓbellence” and saluted his decades-long commitment to football development.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted leading figures in sports administration, the media, and government; it honours individuals and organisations that have advanced sports and journalism in Nigeria significantly.
Nureni’s recognition stands as a testament to his vision, consistency, and impact in creating opportunities for young athletes and strengthening the foundations of Nigerian football. With this award, he further cements his reputation as one of the foremost private contributors to sports growth and youth development in the country.
