We are pleased to present the second-place winner of this year’s KAF International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) essay competition: Adeyemo Bright from Oladipo Alayande School of Science.
In this compelling piece, Adeyemo reflects on the power of sports, specifically football, to foster unity and mutual acceptance in Nigeria’s multicultural landscape.
Drawing on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a timely example, Adeyemo illustrates how football has transcended political, ethnic, and social divides, bringing Nigerians together in shared moments of triumph and defeat.
Her insightful essay highlights the unique role of sports in promoting peace and acceptance, even amidst national challenges. We commend Adeyemo Bright for her thoughtful analysis and achievement in this year’s competition.
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ADEYEMO BRIGHT
SCHOOL: Oladipo Alayande School of Science.
TOPIC: Using the recent Africa Cup of Nations Football Tournament as an example, discuss how sports can help bring peace, togetherness and acceptance in diverse places like Nigeria.
Since Nigeria ended her civil war in 1970, efforts have been made to keep Nigerians united. Efforts have been made by both governments and various organizations to put together various initiatives for the promotion of peace in the country.
The present democratic system which is also expected to promote the desired peace needed for a growing economy has not been achieved, as achieving peace is almost becoming illusive.
The Presidential election that took place in the year 2023 has also added to the country’s disintegration and lack of togetherness. The major aspirants were from different ethnic groups and each ethnic group would want their tribe to rule the people. These were; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu [Yoruba], Mr. Peter Obi [Igbo], Alhaji Atiku Abubakar [Hausa] and others.
During the period of the campaigns and real elections, the Igbos mainly stood for Peter Obi of the Labour Party, some Hausas for Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and some Yorubas for the declared winner, President Bola Tinubu of the All People’s Congress. Nobody agreed with each other during this period and beyond degenerating a climax of crisis until litigations set things to rest.
There is the need to use the uniqueness of sports to sort out a state of harmony and peaceful co-existence in the country, it has been proven that sports serve as a veritable tool and an effective mechanism in the promotion of peace.
Indeed, events such as the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations [AFCON] give people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to come together and celebrate their love for the sport thereby creating an atmosphere of unity that is truly unique.
Football is one course where Nigerians have cried and laughed together-from our victory over Algeria in 1980 to our defeat against Cameroon in 2000. We all shared the joys and sorrows that the game has brought to us in unity, not division, in acceptance, not disagreement, in patriotism, not disaffection or disintegration.
The just concluded AFCON Tournament has made Nigerians come together and this has helped us till we got to the semi-finals but were later defeated by Ivory Coast during the finals. The reality that dawned on us is “we won the matches together and lost together“.
There is a need to therefore embrace sports with which we can all achieve peace all around the world, in Russia, Ukraine, Gasa, Israel and even in Nigeria. Achieving peace in Nigeria will enhance educational development, economic participation and political emancipation.
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Adeyemo Bright’s essay poignantly reminds us of the unifying potential of sports to build bridges across divides.
Through shared experiences in events like AFCON, Nigerians can set aside their differences, celebrating a collective identity forged on the field. Her insights underscore that sports can inspire lasting peace, understanding, and hope for a more unified Nigeria.
We are honoured to recognize her thoughtful contribution to this year’s KAF IDSDP essay competition and encourage everyone to see sports as a powerful avenue for positive change in our communities. Congratulations to Adeyemo Bright for her outstanding second-place finish!
