World Peace Day: NGOs Use Sports To Promote Unity Amongst Nigerians
By Murjanatu Abdullah, Kaduna.
Ahead of the International Day of Peace, two Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Nigeria commenced the 2021 celebration by organising sporting activities across the country geared towards uniting the youth and promoting the spirit of togetherness among others.
World Peace Day, celebrated annually on September 21, is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria and Women Hood Foundation of Nigeria have been working together to promote peace and and unity through sports.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the national president of Peace Revival in Kaduna said sports is a compelling tool to promote peace, tolerance, understand and brings together people of different cultures and religions.
“We came up with the decision to use sports like skating, cycling, football, parasoka among others towards bringing together people so as to promote the culture of togetherness and one Nigeria,” Buru Said. “This is going to last for one week.”
Buru also stated that sports can be use as a deterrent to teach the values of teamwork, respect and communication skills needed to reduce tension and prevent conflict.
“Sports like football, hockey, cricket, volleyball, baseball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, swimming, cycling and many others are popular all over the world and can be used for uniting the people irrespective of their cultural, traditional, religious background,” Buru added.
Buru said in a modern era of conflict and humanitarian crises, sports can assist in the attainment of sustainable development Goal 16 which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions.
Buru stressed that his organisation along with other concerned peace driven NGOs and Civil society organisations would organise friendly football matches between Muslims and Christians and other traditional believers on the importance of peace and uniting.
Similarly, the Director of Women Hood’s School of Health Sciences in Kaduna, Nurudden Bello, said they have started sensitizing the general public on the importance of peace in the society. Nurudden stated this during a one day lecture at the school premises titled; ‘Importance of peace and harmony in our community.’
Sports unites nations and creates peace between countries as countries invite one another for World Cup competitions, which creates friendships between nations. In his remark, Mallam Kabiru, the Kaduna State Sky Sketters coach thanked the NGOs and CSOs that visited, while encouraging them to equally organise other sports.
