SWAN Congratulates Nezianya, NOC PRO On Agbalanze Onitsha Chieftaincy Title
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter has congratulated Tony Nezianya the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee on his initiation into the prestigious Agbalanze Society of Onitsha.
SWAN in a Statement signed by Chimezie Anaso and Uche Ndeke, Chairman and Secretary respectively of the chapter described the honour on Nezianya as most deserving and long overdue.
The Agbalanze society is the highest and most important spiritual, religious and social grouping in Onitsha, it confers aristocratic status on members.
With his successful initiation, Nezianya is now an Ozo, a living spirit and an ancestor who now acts as the moral conscience of the community and a fair adjudicator in cases of disputes within the community.
The body of sports journalists in Anambra said they were proud to associate with Nezianya an accomplished retired civil servant, a trailblazer in sports journalism and a cultural irredentist.
“We congratulate you on your admission into the ancient Agbalanze Society of Onitsha, a group reserved for men of high accomplishment and means but with immense responsibilities and expectations in Onitsha and beyond.
“We are confident that you will meet the demands of your new status and we pray that your ancestors will guide and guard you in Jesus name,” it said.
Nezianya retired from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Director after an illustrious career, he was two time chairman of SWAN in Lagos State, three time PRO of NOC and widely traveled many across continents.
He is a good family man from the Umuosuma kindred of Umudei in Inl
and Town, Onitsha.
