The Nigeria Minister of Sports Development Sen John Owan Enoh, has stated that sports is a major tool for peace and conflict resolution.
Enoh who said this at the two-day workshop on sports-based intervention in prison settings, organised by the United Nations noted that sports has power to rehabilitate, rejuvenate and reintegrate individuals at correctional facilities into society.
With the theme, “Drug and Crime for Nigerian Correctional Service inmates and the public,” the Hon Sports Minister represented by his Deputy Director Mr. Bamiduro Olumide, expressed delight to associate with the event.
After once again congratulating the organizers Mr. Olumide said. “Sports has the capacity to give a platform to potential sports persons,” he added. “Moreso, sports is a major tool for peace and conflict resolution.”
As he commended the German Government for partnering with the United Nations to organize the programme, the minister intimated them of the Federal Government’s interest in welcoming ideas and innovations that will further enhance both nations’ bilateral relationship.
He expressed confidence beyond doubt, when he said. “The workshop provided an avenue for deliberations on ways to strengthen and enhance the delivery capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the population it serves.”
Mallam Yakmut Al-Hassan, a former Director General of the defunct National Sports Commission, presented a paper at the workshop on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNODC office, Vienna) and Prison and Penal Reforms (UNODC office, Nigeria) among others.