Courtesy US Embassy, Adamawa Gets First BB4P Peace Zone
The first BB4P Peace Zone (basketball court) in Adamawa State was established in Demsa Local Government Area on Children’s Day, May 27, 2017 with many secondary schools from the Demsa/Numan LGAs, the State Basketball Chairman, coaches and players from Yola in attendance.
A statement signed by BB4P Assistant Programme Manager, Mr. Edward Tox and made available to newsmen in Kaduna informed that during a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Demsa, he revealed to BB4P that basketball was also the game he had played and that he would play an active role in ensuring that Demsa PEACE ZONE grows and is sustained in his domain.
The Peace Zone was strategically established at the outer part of Demsa Government Day Secondary School, for easy accessibility and security of the portable basketball upright donated to the community by BB4P.
The location is also accessible to members of Demsa community who would want to use the facility.
Even though the BB4P/US Embassy project target was to cater for 50 youth, there were more than 100 secondary and community youth that participated in the workshop.
The workshop’s slogan which was “Seek knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave” enlightened all participants on the need for peaceful coexistence and how peace works.
It also emphasized how peace, basketball and education are important to growth and development.
The Nigerian Police Force represented by Police Officer, Wm Markus Kwani addressed participants on the role of the Police in the society and best ways the community can interact with the police to help maintain peace.
The BB4P Operations Manager Engr. Ibrahim, Innocent Enesi emphasized on the importance of active listening, information dissemination and how effective communication can reduce negative conflict.
Acording to the statement, Programme Manager BB4P, Coach Oliver B. Johnson assisted by other stakeholders, instructors and coaches taught the participants the basic fundamental skills of basketball.
They were also taught how to keep the environment clean and how to ensure that there is food security in Nigeria by planting fruit trees using the seeds usually discarded after eating the fruit.
The highlight of the workshop was the encouragement to go to school and also to stay in school.
The State Basketball Chairman, a retired Naval Officer, Mr. Mellon contributed immensely to the success of the workshop and confirmed to Coach OBJ that the workshop had given him a renewed positive-spirit to do more for basketball in Adamawa State.
The BB4P State Coordinator for Adamawa State, Coach N. Dickson was praised for his good organizational skills and for ensuring the success of the Adamawa BB4P/US Embassy workshop project.
Participants received BB4P/US Embassy Workshop Materials, like playing vests, project T-shirts, Program Booklets, Certificates, etc.
The BB4P/US Embassy Portable upright was handed over to the State BB4P Coordinator to be fully utilized for the promotion, growth, development and sustaining of peace and the progress of the BB4P/US Embassy Project in the state.
The three-day Adamawa BB4P/US Embassy sponsored Workshop attracted several youth and residents from Demsa community.
It would be recalled that one of the sons-of-the-soil in the person of Late Swade who until his death in 2000, had truly put the name of Demsa LGA into the Nigerian Basketball limelight by his performance in basketball at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and on the national level.