EXAMINE THE CONTRIBUTION OF FOOTBALL TO PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION1.1 Background to the StudySport has been one of the most visible institutions for social change in recent years (Kidd, 2008). Sport links individuals from all over the world from all countries, ethnic groups, and civilizations, allowing them to communicate in a common language. Due to its significance, it … See more

CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION1.1 Background to the StudySport has been one of the most visible institutions for social change in recent years (Kidd, 2008). Sport links individuals from all over the world from all countries, ethnic groups, and civilizations, allowing them to communicate in a common language. Due to its significance, it has attracted a large number of stakeholders from the world, national, and local levels. Sports, according to Otoo (2014), have been one of the most popular leisure activities in countries all over the world over the years. It has evolved from a purely social pastime to a major political and economic instrument utilized by numerous governments to achieve varied objectives since the end of World War II. Furthermore, the concept that sport inherently leads to favorable effects in a wide range of social concerns and human development is reflected in the assumptions and "sport works" narrative of Sport for Development (SfD) programs (Coalter, 2015; Coakley, 2016), in which governments and international organizations commonly use it (Coalter, 2015; Coakley, 2016). The SfD ‘movement' has grown from a minor to a key way for governments and international organizations to achieve social development goals during the 1990s (Kidd, 2008; Reis et al., 2016). Sport for Development (SfD) promotes, peace, health, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and education, according to the UN. As noted by Smith & Westerbeek (2007), when it comes to global effect of sport, the cliches are thick. The averment by Nelson Mandela holds much ideology, that ‘Sport can change the world’ (Lee 2019). According to a UN Inter-agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace report, sport can help promote political stability, peace, and health. Schhulenkorf, Sherry & Rowe (2015) maintains that a favorable impact of sport on child socialisation, public health, and social inclusion of the disadvantaged is defined as sport for development. Literature on sport for development is becoming a prominent notion of discussion for sport stakeholders, donors, governments, and policymakers in different countries of the world (Peter 2008). In the words of Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations: "Sport has become a world language, a common denominator that breaks down all the walls, all the barriers. It is a worldwide industry whose practices can have a widespread impact" (UN News 2011). Most of all, it is seen as a powerful tool for progress and development (Sobotova et al., 2016; Jaitman & Scartascini 2017). Notwithstanding, empirical evidence shows that the practice of sport has a beneficial effect on education, health, and the general welfare of the population (WHO 2003; Barbu, Bogdan & Roxana 2019; Georgian & Lorand 2016). Malm, Jakobsson & Isaksson (2019) asserts that sport is a double-edged sword regarding its effect on health and physical activity, and exercise such as sport has a significant positive effect in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, or stressed related disease. Sporting activities have been used as a critical tool for instigating social change and social welfare especially in developing countries. For instance, events like Grassroots Soccer; Right to play, Peace Players International, Pour3points, the One Peace Foundation in Kenya and UNESCO’s Sport4Peace, are important aspect of the path to progress and peace. Football and sport drives so much importance that in early 2000, it became an international movement inciting the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015) and currently, it is continuing around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030) (Gadais 2019). With several sports and sporting events, a particular one has created a lot of enthusiasm and connection among people, this is football. Football has received significant popularity globally and it is believed to have a high number of followers worldwide. Also referred to as soccer, according to Alegi (2010), soccer was brought to African during the colonial era from Great Britain in the middle part of the 19th century. Ever since its formation, football or soccer has been an essential part and parcel of every community, creating oneness and a sense of culture among fans. In this regard, Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that he was interested in football's ability to impart lifelong lessons about competing as rivals, not enemies. Cited in Smith and Westerbeek (2007), the former FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter once made a statement that “football as a game has been improved upon and taken to the world, which has been celebrated as a culture, but now it's time to use football to make the world a better place.” Thus, sport has a significant relationship with development and as the most popular sport, there should be a linkage between football and development. In Africa, just like every part of the universe, football has become an essential sporting event (Alegi 2010). The influential and socio-dynamic impact of football on numerous human activities has grown tremendously over time more than human comprehension. Others regard it as a career, yet many recognise its effect on national growth, identity, and as a tool for global collaboration. According to Manzo (2012), football is utilized in Africa to attract young people into the orbit of NGOs and their donors. According to Safarikova (2011)'s research, football is highly significant to Ugandan youth since it allows them to meet new people, develop new skills, and create a professional career. Huggins and Randel (2007) believe that the athletic world has epitomised many gender prejudices that still exist today and have shown to be very resistant to substantial gender changes. The early twentieth century struggle for racial fairness, national freedom, and peace in Africa is strongly related to the history of football. Football has been utilized by African leaders to unite and liberate. Others include Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, Nigeria's Nnamdi Azikiwe, Algeria's Ahmed Ben Bella, and Rwanda's Paul Kagame. The FIFA, founded in 1904 in Paris, oversees 6 football events and activities worldwide. The Confederation of African Football licenses and oversees football activities on the African continent (CAF). Football is now recognized as an international sport whose ideals may make a major contribution to societies, according to FIFA (Jennings 2011). A look at how FIFA and CAF, as global and regional football governing organizations, have helped and continue to help ensure long-term peace and development in Nigeria and on the African continent.1.2 Research ProblemSports are increasingly being used to address societal concerns such as poverty, war, and violence. Nigerian, Ghanaian, South African, and Rwandan governments have acknowledged football's role in promoting peace. The involvement of FIFA and its regional authority, the CAF, in these procedures has been debated by some analysts (Mohammed 2018). Due to the high number of intra-territorial disputes on the African continent, numerous conventional tactics such as diplomacy, mediation, and negotiation have been used to achieve peace (Mohammed, 2018). Because it is known that political action is the only way to resolve conflicts. Sports, especially football, have been utilized to promote peace in many regions of the world (Paul 2017). UNOSDP was established in 2001 by Kofi Annan to bring together the worlds of sports, peace, and development (UN 2004). “Sport is a universal language,” said the Secretary-General in 2004. Its best may unite individuals irrespective of origin, ethnicity, religion, or economic position (UN News 2011). Moreover, Oppong Weah, Liberia's current president, and Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast's former two-time African Best Player, utilized their roles as ambassadors of football to greatly contribute to peace in their respective nations at a time when both countries were experiencing war concerns (Mohammed 2018). With the knowledge that football may be used to promote peace, this research looks into what FIFA and CAF, the global and African governing bodies of football, have done and are doing to promote development on the African continent. In response to the above statement, with little or no study conducted in Nigeria, the current study will investigate the impact of sport on development using a case from Nigeria.1.3 Research QuestionsThe overarching question for this study is; To what extent have international and national actors been able to put football for development on the policy agenda in Nigeria?1.4 Research ObjectivesIn response to the above research question, the study seeks to attain the following objectives;I. To examine the contribution of football to peace and conflict resolution in Nigeria II. To assess the contribution of NFF in regards to social change in Nigeria III. To investigate the contribution of football to community development and inclusion in rural areas of Nigeria1.5 RationaleThis study seeks to contribute to knowledge in the field of development (peacebuilding, welfare, employment, conflict resolution, social change, community development) and also show with concrete evidence, procedures, rules, and values of football and how it can promote peace and development in Nigeria. Since these footballing activities are majorly conducted by CAF, NFF, private entities, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the research offers substantial recommendations to these institutions to help initiate the methods and modes with which they can function properly and contribute to development in Nigeria. The study also seeks to educate government officials, policymakers, and analysts on the importance of sports, especially football, in reducing conflict emotions and increasing inter-tribal tolerance, especially among youngsters. Furthermore, the study will serve as a trustworthy source of literature for students and academics who wish to do future research in the field of sports and development. After a thorough search for literature have been conducted, little or no study have been conducted on sport for development in Nigeria. Despite being an important topic and a metric of sustainable development, few studies have been made known in the case of Nigeria. This study will contribute immensely to empirical literature, and also become a veritable source of reference to further research.

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