IBBN organizes novelty Football Match to promote unity, peaceful coexistence in Bauchi

By:Monday Danladi, Bauchi

The Bauchi State chapter of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), on Sunday, organised a novelty football match between Buffalo FC and Elephant FC at the Bigi Primary School playground to promote interfaith unity and peaceful coexistence in the State.

Led by Ambassador Jeremiah Dan’Asabe, IBBN seeks to ensure that people of the two major religions in the country, Islam and Christianity, particularly youths are living in peace as seen in their previous initiatives.

Speaking on the sidelines of the match, Jeremiah Dan’Asabe, said that IBBN’s community development programmes are making a real impact in Bauchi, Nigeria.

According to him, “One of the notable initiatives is organizing friendly football matches between different religious groups, like Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atul Nasir Islam (JNI), to promote peace and unity. These events bring people together, fostering social cohesion and understanding among diverse communities.”

He stressed that,”Sports, in particular, have been a powerful tool for IBBN, helping to: Promote Peace and Unity by engaging youths from different backgrounds in sports, encouraging mutual respect and understanding.”

It is also developing skills, help building leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills among participants just as it fosters Community Engagement such as events like the National Peace Olympics bringing together people from various professions, cultures, and religions, promoting social cohesion and peace.

The Coordinator stressed that IBBN’s approach aligns with global recognition of sports as a catalyst for social change, as acknowledged by the United Nations.

At the end of the match, each team received a set of beep jerseys, a few match football as well as a transport token of ₦10,000.

Dignitaries at the match included, Nde Pius Bunkada, Pastor Paul Michael, Mr. Monday Padama, Mr. Hakuri Ezra, Pastor Dogara, Bro. Monday, and Mr. Timothy B. Tapshin

Officials of the two teams expressed happiness over the development saying that it will further boost unity and peaceful coexistence in the area as the players comprised both Muslims and Christians who are living together.

Presentation of gifts to the team