The Kano Peace Committee (KPC) officially inaugurated the Kano Peace Committee Football Academy on September 23, 2024. The inauguration was part of activities commemorating the 2024 International Peace Day, themed “Cultivating the Culture of Peace.”
The ceremony was led by Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, Executive Director of Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Convener of the Kano Peace Committee, and Head of the Nigeria for Peace Project (N4P). Speaking at the event, Waiya emphasized the critical need to engage the youth in peace-building initiatives, particularly in light of ongoing security challenges in the region.
“It is essential at this time of growing threats to peace and security to engage youths at every level, teaching them the importance of peace, social cohesion, and national unity. By fostering love for humanity, regardless of ethnic, regional, or religious backgrounds, we can build a peaceful and prosperous society,” Waiya said.
The Kano Peace Committee Football Academy is envisioned as a platform to nurture young football talents while instilling the values of peace and peaceful coexistence. Waiya highlighted that beyond sports, the academy would provide training on peace advocacy, transforming players into peace ambassadors within their communities and across Nigeria.
In addition to the formal inauguration, Amb. Ibrahim Waiya was unanimously endorsed as Chairman of the Academy, while Dr. Habib Abubakar Awais was nominated as the Secretary General. Both expressed commitment to driving the academy’s mission of fostering peace through sports.
The players, in turn, thanked the Kano Peace Committee for its unwavering efforts in promoting peace and security in Kano State, the northern region, and the nation at large.
The football academy is set to serve as a breeding ground for young talent, offering opportunities for players to excel locally, nationally, and internationally, while championing peace.
