ActionAid Nigeria, DRDI-DAG, KNSG Partners to Promote Peace and Counter Violent Extremism.

By Abdullahi Kano

In commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Peace, ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI-DAG) and the Kano State Ministries of Youth and Sports Development and Culture and Tourism, organized a friendly “Kick for Peace” football match and cultural peace fiesta.

The event, held on September 25-26, 2024, at the Kano Pillars Stadium and Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, aimed to promote peace, counter violent extremism, and showcase the beauty of cultivating a peaceful culture.

Speaking during the football finals Match the Deputy Country Director  ActionAid Nigeria  Hajiya Suwaiba Mohammad Dankabo said the aim of the football match competition was to Promote a peaceful Kano State through sport, creativity, art, and culture, Showcase the importance of cultivating peace between people and nations and  Create awareness and take action on the dangers of violent extremism.

“We all know football is one of the cherished games globally, that’s why we brought Youths from different communities together to play and have that spirit of sportsmanship with a view to promote peaceful co-existence and curtail the menace of violent extremism”

“Cultivating a culture of peace requires collective responsibility and action. This event serves as a call to action for young leaders, activists, and performers to promote peace and counter violent extremism.” 

The Executive Director Dispute Resolution and development initiative Dr Mohammad Mustapha Yahaya said the football match competition was among the strategies embarked to address the challenge of Violent extremism among youths with a view to enhanced peace in the society.

 “Through out the week we were celebrating world peace day ,that’s the essence of organizing these series the of activities, bringing youths from different communities together to play football match will ease tension and create a bond of love and togetherness among them”

ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organization, partnered with DRDI-DAG and the Kano State Government, with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

This initiative demonstrates the commitment of ActionAid Nigeria and its partners to promoting peace and resilience in Kano State, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nigeria’s national development priorities.