By Angela Atabo
Some sports enthusiasts have emphasised the importance of youth empowerment and social cohesion in achieving lasting peace in the country.
They enthusiasts who made the call in Abuja at the closing of the 2nd edition of the National Peace Olympics (NPO) 2025, said the move would promote understanding, tolerance and economic development.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NPO 2025 with the theme; “Propelling Sportsmanship and Talents for a Better Society” was organised by a group of partners including the Elite Lawyers Association, BarristerCEO Group and Ufuk Dialogue Foundation.
Other partners included the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Bergview Villa Construction, Void Media Group, Da Ace cribs and Bulba Sports.
Speaking at the event, Sen. Ita Enang, Former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, commended the organisers and participants for developing human capacity and preaching peace through sports.
“The NPO brought together youths from different religious, culture, ethnic background different professional fields to meet, interact, play games and share ideas on building Nigeria and building world peace.
“It was an opportunity for youths to develop their talents and know that they share one common humanity. I pray that the competition will be extended to the local and rural areas so they can also benefit.
“Have you thought about the person in Benue, in Plateau, in Taraba, in Enugu, in Delta, in Borno, who are suffering one form of terrorism and all kinds of insecurities? They need it too,” Enang said.
Mr Abba Gana, a Staff of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Cooperation (NDIC), said the NPO‘s initiative to strengthen peace, social cohesion and tolerance was a welcome idea.
“This is the time that we need peace, social cohesion and tolerance in Nigeria because of all the things happening, so that our youths can imbibe the attitude of promoting peace, stay in harmony with every citizen.”
Dr Gift Namoko-Orairu, CEO of Bergview Villas Construction Limited, said that supporting the NPO was a good gesture of peace, to give back to Nigeria.
“I believe it is high time Nigerians gathered to create programmes like this to bring young people together to celebrate peace and remind them of the reason we need to stay in peace with each other.”
Mr Fayzullah Bilgin, Managing Director of NTIC schools, said that the most important thing needed now in the country was peace, understanding, love and tolerance.
Bilgin said that no country can develop without peace.
“So sports events like this will really help us to come together to enjoy each other’s company and accommodate one another.
“All the problems being faced in the world are caused by human beings, for example inequality, oppression, global warming conflicts, and the solution to these problems are also through human beings by developing human beings.”
Mr Emrah Ilgen, the President of Ufuk Dialogue Foundation, said the organisation collaborated with the organsers to preach peace.
“We need to take the message of ‘how to love and tolerate each other’ to the grassroots; this is very important.”
Mr Solomon Itah-Enang, Group Managing Director, BarristerCEO Group and President of Elite Lawyer Association(ELA), said he was propelled to organise the NPO in a bid to foster peace and unity among youths.
Ita-Enang said, “NPO is an annual sporting event, we thank God for its success and we look forward to next year, to continuously bring youths and organsistions and peace promoters together and encourage them to embrace peace.
“This year’s NPO featured seven categories of sports, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, chess, badminton and one other,” he said.
NAN reports that the Public Complaints Commission (PPC) Football Club, won the football category, while the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Football Club finished as runner up.
The Deposit Football Club finished the event as third place finisher.
In Volleyball, Legend Spikers took the coveted prize, with the White Spikers and All Stars Spikers finishing on the second and third place respectively. (NAN)
