The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in collaboration with African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) has urged football lovers to desist from criminal act and violence, stating it will help reshape the image of the game across the globe.
This assertion was made by convener, Christogonus Ibe who derived pleasure celebrating this year’s World Football Day, which was marked on May 25 but being celebrated by his initiative on Saturday, May 31, at the Nigeria Port Authority pitch, Surulere, Lagos.
Addressing lads from several football academy, the sports administrator, spoke on the role of football in the promotion of youth development, community peace and fight against social vices. He however vowed to enlarge the scope of the initiative come next edition.
“Football remains the fourth tribe in Nigeria and we’ll see it as a tool to promote peace and unity. We purposely embarked into this with the aim of shifting youths away from criminal activities. I’m glad they are all seeing the impact of the game and profit being made from it. I think it’s high time they take their career using successful players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and host of others as case study.”
“Globally, we realised this round leather game is the most famous and passionate sports and we believe using it as a means of warning both young and old Nigerians will go a long way in reshaping future talents.”
Nigeria is blessed with lots of talent but it saddens my heart whenever I see them venture into criminal and deviant behavior capable of halting their future ambition.”
“ I can assure you, this is just a tip of iceberg compare to what we have in offing ahead of next edition. Sustainability is our watchword and I’m sure next year will be bigger than this. As you can see, the players and spectators are all happy to be part of this great event and I hope they tap positivity from the initiative,” he stated.
In a similar vein, guest speaker, Professor Raphael Adeyemi Adepoju from University of Lagos, further tasked footballers to combine sports with education, stating it will help bring relevance and class to their career.
“ Lot’s of ex-international are no longer relevant because they lack education. Although talent will give you an edge but talent alone is not enough to sustain enviable height. We’ve seen many footballers lavished money on unreasonable material all because they lack education and at the end, they turn street beggars. Education still remains the best legacy a parent can give to a child, once that is achieve, such player will get a soft landing in any football club he founds himself.”
“ It’s no longer news quiet a number of players who lack education ended up signing a contract capable of ending their career prematurely so therefore, I urged you all to take your study serious alongside the game of football. When you’re educated, venturing into social vices won’t freak you for you can identify the good from bad. I therefore urged you all to enjoy the game and bring the best out of yourselves while we celebrate the 2025 World Football Day,” he emphasised.