Baba-Yara novelty games promotes culture, mentorship —Says Emmanuel Yilbiem

By Abubakar Yunusa

The 2026 President of Junior Chamber International, JCI Aso, Peter Emmanuel Yilbiem, has said the annual Baba-Yara Novelty Games was designed to promote culture, mentorship and stronger ties between younger and older generations.

Yilbiem stated this over the weekend in Abuja during the 14th edition of the Baba-Yara Novelty Games organised by JCI Aso.

He explained that the event started as a football match between older and younger members of the organisation but had grown into a platform for bonding, learning and cultural exchange.

According to him, progress can only be achieved when the strength of the youth is combined with the wisdom and experience of elders.

He said, “For us, we believe progress can only be made by leveraging the strength of the youth and applying the wisdom of the elders, because they have experience.

“Opportunities like this give us the chance to connect, share ideas and learn from their wisdom, while we also put our energy to good use on the football field and in the various games being played here.”

Yilbiem urged young people to deliberately engage older generations in order to learn from their life experiences and avoid repeating mistakes of the past.

He also stressed the need to preserve cultural values, saying they remained relevant despite changing times.

He added, “Culture is very significant, and we cannot allow it to be eroded. It sustained our forefathers, and it can still sustain us today.”

Speaking on this year’s theme, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence, he said new ideas must be deployed to preserve traditions and strengthen mentorship.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the 14th Baba-Yara Novelty Games,
Matilda Fapohunda,said the event had become one of the flagship projects of JCI Nigeria.

She noted that for 14 years, the programme had continued to attract participants from across the country and deepen relationships among local organisations.

Akiola said organisers were already considering expanding the event beyond Nigeria.

“The project has now gone beyond JCI Aso and has become something like a flagship project of JCI Nigeria. People come from all parts of Nigeria to attend this event,” she said.