KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Programme Manager, Basketball For Peace (BB4P), Coach Oliver Johnson (OBJ) has said that he is optimistic that more peace can be achieved through engaging youth in sporting activities.
He made the assertion when he was presented with the AUTHENTIC NGO Of The Year Award, won by BB4P at one of their Peace Courts in Zaria, on Wednesday.
Coach Johnson called on wives of governors to support them in creating peace courts in states where there are none; assuring that it would go a long way in keeping the youth away from social vices.
He also appealed to corporate organisations to support their activities.
“We are happy that the public is appreciating our efforts in engaging youths positively and curbing restiveness through sports.
“Our interventions are paying off in several communities in the country. We establish peace zones with functional basketball courts for youth, and also establish peace clubs in schools where they are taught conflict early warning signals, steps to take and how to maintain peace,” he said.
Earlier, the Consulting Editor of Authentic News Daily, Onjewu Dickson, informed Coach Johnson and others present at the ceremony that they emerged winners of the award after passing through two voting processes.
While congratulating BB4P for winning the prestigious award back-to-back for 2016 and 2017, Dickson said the online platform, with its administrative head office in Kaduna, has reporters in several states of the Federation.
Dickson added that the reputable online platform’s annual awards recently announced winners of the 3rd edition of the award for 2017, which was published by several media houses and can be accessed on http://www.authenticnewsdaily.com.