Plateau authorities turn to football to engage youths amidst protests

As the nationwide protest for good governance enters day two, Bashir Datti, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Plateau State, has taken a unique approach to engage the youths in Jos.

Datti has organized a soccer tournament aimed at turning the minds of the youths away from destruction and channeling their energy into something positive.

In an interview with BusinessDay on Friday in Jos, Datti explained that the aim of the tournament is to provide an alternative platform for the youths to express themselves and showcase their talents.

“We want to engage the youths in something productive and take their minds off the protests,” Datti said.

The Commissioner commended the youths for the peaceful nature of the protests so far, saying that it shows that they were responsible and can be engaged constructively.

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“We are proud of the youths for conducting themselves peacefully during the protests. This tournament is our way of rewarding them and keeping them engaged,” Datti added.

The soccer tournament, which kicked off Thursday, has attracted teams from across Jos and surrounding areas. The competition is fierce, but the atmosphere is electric, with the youths cheering each other on and having a great time.

Datti said that the tournament is also aimed at promoting unity and social cohesion among the youths.

“We want to use sports to bring the youths together and promote peace and understanding,” he said.

As the tournament continues, the Commissioner promised to provide support and resources to the participating teams.

Nathaniel Gbaoron

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.