PEACE-BUILDING AND POST-CONFLICT CO-EXISTENCE THROUGH SPORTS: A CATALYST FOR NATION BUILDING

Abstract

This study investigated the role of sport in peace-building and post-conflict co-existence. Three hypotheses were stated for the study as the sample was delimited to the six South-West states in Nigeria. 18 Local governments were selected, as 3,600 respondents were randomly selected from Lagos senatorial districts (850) while Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states senatorial Districts were allotted (630) respondents respectively. A simple random sampling technique (SRST) was used for the selection of respondents from each of the Local Government Areas. A self-structured questionnaire comprising thirty items was used for data generation. The questionnaire was validated and confirmed to meet content validity as a reliability index of 0.87 was obtained using the split-half method of reliability. The biodata of respondents was collated and presented on frequency distribution tables, while items in section B were analyzed using a "t-test" statistical analysis tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the three hypotheses were rejected as it concluded that sport remains one universal and legitimate tool that can be used to advance conflict transformation and peacebuilding. It is recommended among others that sports development and peace-building process should take into consideration the specific cultural dynamics of the places where the programme is to take place and apply the most suitable sport (e.g. Football as opposed to Rugby in Nigeria) gender awareness and region in areas where this is a major issue).