Int’I Peace Day: NGOs Embark On Sporting Activities To Promote Christian- Muslim Relations

By Ibrahima Yakubu

Some Non- governmental organisations ,(NGOs), the Peace-Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria and Womenhood Foundation of Nigeria have embarked on sporting activities to promote and strengthen interreligious relations in Kaduna state, ahead of World International Peace Day celebration 2021.

They said organizing the sporting activities across the country is geared toward uniting the youths and promote the spirit of togetherness. Peace and forgiveness.

Pastor Yohanna Buru , the National President of Peace Revival in kaduna said, sports is a compelling tool to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding, bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and religions, adding that 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.

According to him, they have decided to use many sporting activities which include skating, cyclist, football, para-soka, Table tennis and snooker game in the communities toward bringing the general public together, so as to promote the culture of togetherness, and one Nigeria.

He noted that Sports remained one of the best way toward uniting the general public and the entire nation on the need to be one Nigeria.

He stressed that Sports can bring people together towards a common goal, while promoting respect and community with others.

The Christian cleric further said, they are going to use one week through organizing many sport activities with the aims of promoting peace and unity among Nigerians.

” sports can be used as a deterrent by teaching the values of good sportsmanship, teamwork, respect and communication skills needed to reduce tensions and prevent conflict

” Sports 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.

“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” he added

He said, in a modern era of conflicts and humanitarian crises, sports 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 believers on the importance of peace and unity

Similiarly ,the School Director of Womenhood School of Health Science Kaduna, Mr Nurudden Bello, said they have started sensitizing 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”

“Sports unite nations and creates peace between countries since each country wants to invite the other country 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 maintained