Dorothy Akende

The Leadership and Peace Building Sport Program, led by Dorothy Akende, is a transformative initiative designed to educate youths from vulnerable backgrounds, providing them with opportunities to realize their basic rights, unleash creative skills, and grow up in a healthy and fulfilling environment. This project leverages sports competitions to empower youths, fostering peaceful co-existence, and building a spirit of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. In Benue State, which faces high rates of underemployed youths and social unrest, the initiative targets marginalized youths to amplify their voices, enable participation in decision-making, and contribute to closing gender inequalities in sports.

Since 2019, over 1250 youths have directly participated in the program, and more than 10,000 youths have indirectly benefited from knowledge-sharing initiatives. Notable success stories include Tersoo Nathaniel, an orphan and Peace Ambassador, whose transformation through the program earned him respect and leadership in his community. The initiative has rescued girls from early forced marriages, provided scholarships for education and skill acquisition, rescued children from trafficking, sheltered women victims of gender-based violence, and reunited children with their families who were victims of child labor.

The impact assessment reveals that 80% of surveyed participants felt that the tournament brought them closer to their team and community members, reducing violence and crime by 30% in targeted communities. Additionally, a football academy for young girls in low-income and refugee/IDP camps has been registered, empowering 30 girls to develop their skills and achieve financial independence.