Preparing Future Leaders
“Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.”
Koffi Annan
GENESIS
Early 2000s, Nigeria’s resource control agitation in the Niger Delta region was felt around the World, negatively affecting the global crude oil supply and price. The devastative effects within the country was greater still as the violence from the result of bloody clashes among ethnic minorities and local gangs was a daily occurrence, livelihood and lives were destroyed. Pipeline sabotage and oil related anti-social activities was the norm disrupting the economy of the region. Many youths were lured to engaging in economic sabotage, criminal activities and other vices enticed by financial benefits. Businesses were greatly crippled by such activities which destroyed further the hopes and dreams of a growing population.
In the midst of this dire conditions, Coach Fubara Humphrey Onyanabo and his team of concerned and committed friends initiated several sports programs to reorientate and educate the youths in a bid to curb the civil unrest and empower the youths thus making them to realize their potentials and contribute positively to society.
HOPES, DREAMS & REALITY
Coach Fubi, as he was fondly referred to by everyone, practically engaged youths from the streets already occuppied in various activities such as street hawking and other non related businesses due to prevalent poor economic circumstances. He introduced them and their parents to basketball and was permitted by their parents to take them under his wing mentoring them.
Propelled by the huge positive response and successes by the series of workshops, training events and collaborations by concerned citizens, the Athletes for Peace & Orientation was created and registered in 2014 as the platform to continue the legacy for positive Change in youth development.
NIGERIA SPORTS LEGACY
The very first time Nigeria qualified for the FIFA world cup, It took the courage and actions of a brave coach Clemens Westerhof to keep an open camp in the Nigerian football National try-outs, which was usually highly politicized. That action led to the discovery of unknown persons like Jay-Jay Okocha, Tarabo West, Sunday Oliseh and other players that developed into National heroes and global icons due to their performance in the FIFA 1994 World Cup that inspired a generation.
Despite going out in the round of 16, their exceptional skills on display was so exciting that the Nigerian team was voted second most entertaining team behind Brazil the eventual winners of the FIFA 94 World Cup and the rest is history.
This singular event inspired the Nigerian youths into the sport of football and that paved the way for a lot of youth talent from Nigeria to be given the opportunity that result in so many success story and increased Nigerian youth participation on the world stage, lifting athletes from obscurity and poverty to fame, success and a hope for generations.
Nigeria, the largest black nation in Africa, with an estimates 200 million plus with the highest youth population in Africa. So much untapped potential, let explore and harness it
ACHIEVEMENTS
The APRI various basketball initiatives has been a huge success and has generated a positive outcome in the community, also has benefited a lot of youths in getting scholarships to study overseas, get signed to professional basketball teams both in the country and abroad. A lot of youths have been taken off the streets and youth violence has been reduced tremendously. The program has helped a large number of youths in cultivating good characters, behaviors and orientation to a more organized and productive lifestyle.
PARTNERS/PATRONS/ASSOCIATES
