The Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Saturday flagged off the fifth edition of its Peace and Unity Football Tournament in Jos, Plateau State.
Declaring the tournament open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, said the tournament was part of the non-kinetic measures deployed by OPSH to unite people of different ethnic groups within the Joint Operations Area.
Represented by the Commander Sector 1 OPSH, Navy Captain MA Fana, the Commander maintained that the tournament has over the years captured the attention of the local populace, standing in as a tool for social cohesion.
General Oyinlola noted that the tournament will enhance robust civil-military relations through sporting activities, stating that OPSH is open to exploring credible avenues in its quest to bringing permanent peace to troubled communities.
He added that the tournament and other non-kinetic activities of OPSH are aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence and improve human relationship within its JOA.
General Oyinlola, while congratulating the participating teams, urged them to show the spirit of sportsmanship during and after the tournament, tasking them to continually support security agencies as they work tirelessly to secure the communities.
Also speaking, the member representing Shendam/Qua’an Pan and Mikang Federal Constituency, Honourable John Dafaan, noted that it is time youths forget what divides them and embrace unity, cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
He noted that sports are globally known to unite people of diverse sociocultural and ethnic background. He promised to reward the highest goals scorer, highest assists creator and best coach in the tournament.
Other invited guests who spoke at the ceremony, applauded the untiring efforts of the security agencies especially OPSH in ensuring peaceful coexistence among the people. They urged members of the public to make deliberate efforts to live in peace with one another, making it difficult for crisis advocates to penetrate them.
The tournament would feature 24 Local Government Areas (LGAs) from Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna and it is expected that six tertiary institutions will participate in the tournament.
The flag off ceremony was attended by government officials, youth leaders, traditional and religious leaders. The first match of the tournament was between Bassa LGA and Jos North LGA, which ended in favour of Jos North LGA.