Two major Non Governmental Organizations- Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, and Womenhood Foundation of Nigeria have organized series of sporting activities to mark World Peace Day celebration.
The sporting activities include table tennis, skating, football, snooker and cycling . According to Yohanna Buru, a Christian Cleric, and the head of Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation:
“Sport is a compelling tool to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding, bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and religions.
He continued
“Its values such as teamwork, fairness, discipline, and respect are understood all over the world and can be utilized in the advancement of solidarity and social cohesion.
He further explained that aim of the NGOs is geared toward uniting the youth and promoting the spirit of togetherness and forgiveness in the land by the way of sport
Buru noted that Sport remains one of the best way toward uniting the general public and the entire nation on the need to be one Nigeria.
Adding that Sports can bring people together towards a common goal, while promoting respect and community with others.
The Christian cleric said that they are going to use one week through organizing many sport activities with the aims of promoting peace and unity among Nigerians.
“Sport like Football, hockey, cricket, volleyball, baseball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, swimming, cycling and many other sports are popular all over the world and can be used for uniting the people irrespective of their cultural,traditional,religiously background”, he said.
“Traditional games are also still being played by several tribal communities and we are hoping to organize some,so as to used the moment toward educating Nigerians on the importance on peace and stability”
According to him, In a modern era of conflict and humanitarian crises, sport can assist in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 16 which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions
Stressing that his organization and other concerned peace NGOs and Civil society organization would organize a friendly football matches between muslims and Christians and other traditional believer on the importance of peace and uniting ,
Similarly ,the Director of womenhood School of Health Science kaduna, Mr. Nurudden Bello, explained that they have commenced the sensitisation of the general public on the importance of peace in our society
Nurudden stated this during a one day lecture at the school premises with the title, “Importance of peace and harmony in our community”
“Sport unites nations and creates peace between countries since each country wants to invite the other countries to the world cup. This creates friendships between nations.
“Sport builds similarity by bringing people to one place creating a similarity between people of things they like to do, he concluded.
