The constitution of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has empowered the national and all state executives to co-opt a credible person(s) of integrity into their excos to fill-in vacant position(s) after every election or anytime the need arises.
This was what exactly happened after the Triennial Delegate Congress in Omoku, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, after the national congress which saw the election of new national executives when some positions were left unfilled as they had either had their contestants disqualified or no contestants at all.
The positions that were left vacant after the congress were that of the Treasurer, Vice President South -East, Vice President North-East, Vice President North -Central and Vice President North. West.
And Article 23 (j) of SWAN clearly stated that, “There shall be No Bye election”. But the SWAN Statute in article 23 (f) allowed the President to appoint any person of his choice but with the approval of the NEC.
I am happy both the national PRESIDENT and the NEC taught it wise that Kano deserved a place in the National exco, hence the name of Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim (Allawee) was picked and appointed as the Vice president of North West.
To me, the whole North and not Kano alone should celebrate as one of their hardworking and dedicated members, Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim has been seen worthy by the national body of the association to be its new Vice President in charge of the North.
Honestly, I see Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim as an exceptionally brilliant broadcaster, a man cut out for greatness. A man who is making a big statement with his achievements in the electronics media not only in the north but the country at large.
The choice of Ibrahim over the rest by the national body of SWAN as the new VP North is never a mistake as he has an edge over all of those that aspired to be through other doors and even those who were disqualified.
From inconspicuousness, he rose to prominence through hard work and dedication to duty. Indeed, he carved a niche for himself as an outstanding pen pusher as a highly respected individual for his seriousness, professional and sound administrative skills.
With his proven professional creativity of about two decades at the senior level in decision-making, both in media administration, human resources management, marketing, media production etc, I see him as the right person for the job.
No doubt the new VP has a strong ability to work even under pressure without any form of supervision and produce good results as he is capable of keeping the principles and objectives of any organization he found himself.
As a sportswriter, commentator, an analyst, a producer and reporter. Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim has a daily sports programme named “Freedom world of sports” from Monday to Friday in both Hausa and English.
He equally covers sports events such as football matches both local, international and even covers premiership matches in almost all the states of the Federation. The U-17 football championship among others.
The newly appointed VP in charge of North had in the cause of performing his duty was opportune to interview per both past and present.
Born on February 8th 1972 at Yalwa Village (oldest Hausa settlement in South South) Jattu, Edo state. Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim attended Azama Primary School between 1976 and 1983 for his first Leaving School Certificate and was in Jattu Secondary School between 1984 and 1990 for his SSCE/GCE. He proceeded to Bayero University, Kano 1993 for a Diploma in Public Administration.
A communicator per excellence, the new VP was in Bayero University Kano again between 1996 and 2001 for his Bsc Political Science. And was at the AIAK Computers, Kano for a Diploma in Data Processing.
Determined to pursue his education to the zenith, Ibrahim was at the Bayero University, Kano in 2005 for a PGDPPA and again at the Bayero University, Kano in 2009/2010 for his MPPA. He was at the FILAPS Media Training Institute –Diploma in Broadcast Journalism (DBJ) 2019/2021.
Before his sojourn into journalism, Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim was the Admin Clerk – PVC, Manufactures Ltd, Kaduna between 1995 and 1996. And was in charge of collecting daily and monthly premium and managing and coordinating other marketers and also the Marketing Executive -African Alliance Insurance Company, Kano between 2003 and 2004.
Without mincing words, the new VP North is among the few broadcasters in the state that worked their way up to the ladder of success through courage and determination. He was an Acting Manager Administration of Freedom Radio, Kano, Administration / Human Resources from August, 2004 to date. He is currently a Reporter, producer and Public Affair analyst.
Beside his regular schedule, Muhammad Mansour Ibrahim has carried out several Adhoc assignments as he served as the Secretary Kano State Chapter of SWAN between 2014 and 2020, Committee member SWAN Statute committee between 2016 and 2019 and a member SWAN Electoral Committee (SWANECO) 2022\23.
The new head of northern SWAN attended many Professional Trainings: some of which were Conflict Resolution and management (USAID) in 1999, Effective Report writing workshop in 2004, Supervisory Management workshop in 2005, Ethical issues in Accounting: commitment to due process 2005 and Event and protocol management in 2010.
He was the Public Relation Officer –MCAN, Edo state in 2003, Director Travels and Exchange, -National, Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) between 2000 and 2001, Welfare Officer, Student’s Union Government, Bayero University, Kano.1999/2000, Public Relation Officer, League of Democratic Students, Bayero University, Kano-1998/1999 and a Class Room Teacher during his NYSC year.
A computer literate who is fluent in English Language and Hausa, Ibrahim is a researcher, a script writer, a sports producer, a sports presenter and public affair analyst.
This smart broadcaster is a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria. (SWAN) member.
Cheerful, gregarious and fun to be with, the new SWAN Vice President North is having football, handball, reading, travelling and meeting new people as hobbies. He is married with kids and a bouncing baby grandchild.
Ina maka fatan alheri.