On Wednesday, 21st February, 2018, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) conducted her maiden Interfaith Interschool Sports Festival for Nigerian children. The competition featured a total of nine primary schools within Abuja and the FCT namely: St. Michelle Academy, Kubwa; Holy Family, Kuje; Sarah Eke Memorial School, Nyanya; Mater Misericodia, Nyanya; Al Ansaar Academy, Kuje; Sheikh Abubakar Gummi Academy, Asokoro; St. Aloysius, Garki; Nurudeen School, Karu and St. Lukes Primary School, Kubwa.
Beside the fact that sports is one of the very necessary requirements for growth and development of the body for children and adults alike, the purpose of this competition is to bridge gap, promote unity, tolerance and acceptance among children. Before the commencement of the game, the COFP team used the opportunity to sensitized and enlightened the children on the right tenets of the Christian and Islam religions and the need for peaceful co-existence. Children from the above named schools competed on four different races: 100m Race, 200m Race, Egg race and Sack race. Winners of first, second and third positions were awarded with certificates and cash prices which were to cover the tuition/school fees of the winning pupils. For COFP, molding the minds of these young Nigerians for peace is the essential part of the competition.
