JCI Aso’s 13th Baba & Yara games mark workers’ day in Abuja

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Aso, a vibrant local organisation in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marked the 2025 Workers’ Day with the 13th edition of its Baba and Yara Novelty Games.

Held at the hockey pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the event brought together representatives from JCI chapters across the country for a day of sports, unity, and intergenerational bonding.

Under the bright Abuja sun, participants of all ages engaged in a variety of games, including football, tennis, and other sporting activities. The atmosphere was electric, with younger and older generations competing side by side, united by a shared goal of promoting peace and harmony through sports.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, JCI International Vice President Abdullahi Bala Attairu described the games as a cornerstone of the organisation’s mission.

“This event was established to bring different generations together using sports to promote peace in society,” he said.

“For 13 years, we have seen continuous improvements, and today, we’re celebrating Workers’ Day harmoniously while advancing peace through sports.”

Attairu highlighted the role of partnerships in amplifying the event’s impact, particularly with You Media, which helps extend JCI’s message to a wider audience.

“Wherever our voice cannot reach, the media helps us advance it,” he noted, urging all Nigerians to embrace initiatives that foster peace and unity.

Muo Immaculata Odira, chairperson of the 13th Baba and Yara Novelty Games, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success.

“You can see the large turnout and the variety of games,” she said, pointing to the enthusiastic crowds.

“We have partner like Cedarest Hospital limited (Medical team), Mayya’s Wellness,Virtusso,Sam-Vic Boff & Co and many other partners”

Comparing this year’s games to the previous edition, Odira, a trained dietician, noted significant improvements.

“Each year should be better than the last, and with the smooth execution and turnout today, we’ve achieved that,” she said.

The event, she added, aligns with JCI Aso’s broader goal of encouraging young people to drive positive change in their communities.

Felix Akinyemi, JCI Aso’s 2025 President, emphasised the games’ role in bridging generational divides.

“This is not just about competition; it’s about bringing the old and young together,” he said.

“In Nigeria today, there’s a disconnect between elders and youth when it comes to mentorship. Sports fosters peace, relationships, and networking across generations.”

Akinyemi also called on the Nigerian government to invest more in sports as a tool for youth engagement and social stability.

“Sports can take young people off the streets,” he said, noting its potential to create opportunities in fields like physiotherapy and catering, while addressing unemployment and unrest.

“If the government invests in sports, it will foster peace and transform our society.”