The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, is mourning the sudden death of one of its veterans, Mazi Nwanezi Njoku, who passed on in the early hours of Thursday, last week.

Oga Mazi, as he was fondly called by many died in his Port Harcourt residence leaving behind a widow and four children.

The Executive members of Rivers State chapter of SWAN, led by its chairman, Honour Sirawoo and National Vice President, South South, Gabriel Nwanetanya went to condole with the family at the weekend.

Describing the late Mazi as the doyen of sports writing in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular, Mr. Sirawoo regretted that death has snatched one of SWAN’s pillars.

He urged the family to take solace in the Lord at this trying time and the fact that Mazi lived a positive life, played his part effectively and answered the ultimate call at a time it pleased his creator.

He prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss and promised that SWAN would be part of the burial arrangements.

Also speaking, Gabriel Nwanetanya remarked that Mazi left so many legacies, which he would be remembered for, and recalled some of his contributions to SWAN, including being one of the persons that midwifed its constitution.

Responding, Mrs Mazi Njoku thanked the SWAN’s leadership for coming and identifying with them in their grief  and urged the association to keep her husband’s legacies alive by building on those things he believed and stood for.

She said that her husband lived and died for sports, especially , in Rivers State, a state he loved so much.