Report On The Official Ceremony For Signing of Memorandum of Understanding
PLAN Health Advocacy and Peridot Academy Seal Partnership For Promoting Sexual And Reproductive Health, Life Skills And Empowerment Among Youths Through Sports In Nigeria
MORE THAN A GAME! PLAN FOUNDATION AND FC PERIDOT ACADEMY SEAL PARTNERSHIP FOR PROMOTING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, LIFE SKILLS AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG YOUTHS THROUGH SPORTS IN NIGERIA.
REPORT OF THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY FOR SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025
Football took on a new meaning today at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, as PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) and FC Peridot Academy came together to host a unique event that combined the excitement of sports with powerful lessons on health, discipline, and life skills.
The atmosphere was charged with energy as young players took to the field in two thrilling football matches involving four different youth soccer teams including FC Peridot Academy which hosted three other invited teams. Beyond the match, the event was designed as a learning platform to help participants make informed choices and lead healthier, more disciplined lives.
Key Highlights of the Sensitization Talks
After the matches, participants were engaged in a series of inspiring and educational sessions:
• The representative of the State Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Olawale Oluwajoba sensitized the players on the dangers of drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of discipline and focus both on and off the pitch.
- The speech of the Chairman of FC Peridot Academy, Mr. Oludare Arewa motivated the youths, underscoring how football instils values such as teamwork, resilience, and integrity. He reminded the players that while talent opens doors, discipline and character sustain long-term success.
- The Executive Director of PLAN Foundation delivered a thought-provoking session on sexual health, avoiding substance abuse, and making the right life choices, stressing that true champions are those who value their health and future. He explained to the young participants at the discussion session that PLAN Foundation chose to partner with FC Peridot Academy in consideration of its track records of its commitment to nurturing young football talents and providing them with the skills, discipline, and opportunities to excel in the sport as well as its focus on grassroots training in guiding young players from obscurity to meaningful professional careers.
He informed the audience that the partners are planning for the Academy to admit young girls into a female team while widening the mandate of FC Peridot Academy to cover other sports as well as making inroads into school sports towards reviving our lost glories in engagement of academic institutions in school sports as a means of diverting the minds of young people to productive and positive endeavours and away from social vices.
Mr. Obatunde Oladapo further stressed that both PLAN Foundation and FC Peridot Academy have identified various areas of convergence in the ideals, target beneficiaries and goals of both organizations. He explained that, as a result of this, both parties have agreed to establish a strategic collaboration to promote youth development through football, life skills education, health and wellness initiatives, and community outreach programs. He emphasized that the partnership therefore seeks to use football as a tool for transformation, empowerment, and positive social change.
- The representative of the Nigerian Correctional Services, Mr. Olamide Akingbeja (ASC1), emphasized the need for young people to be wary of young people engaging in drinking alcohol and substance abuse as it has been shown to inhibit rational behaviour which has put lots of people into trouble and ultimately the prisons. He counselled the players and children from God’s Treasure Kiddies Initiative to always be focused in their approach to life and avoid crime so that their dreams may not be truncated.
In attendance at the ceremony to show solidarity with the cause, further strengthening the call for a society free from violence and abuse were representatives DorcasGrace Initiative, an organization dedicated to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through legal support, community education and youth empowerment and close associate of PLAN Foundation.
A special moment came with the presence of children from the institutional home being run by Kiddies Treasure Kiddies Initiative, a shelter for vulnerable children including street children and children from troubled homes, who were warmly welcomed to the event. Their participation highlighted the inclusive vision of the initiative showing that sports and education can inspire hope, nurture dreams, and provide opportunities for vulnerable children.
A Landmark Partnership for Social Transformation
The most significant moment of the day was the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PLAN Foundation and FC Peridot Academy. This groundbreaking partnership aims to use football as a tool to promote social transformation and address pressing issues affecting young people, including:
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention
- Sexual and reproductive health awareness
- Drug abuse prevention
- Building resilience, discipline, and teamwork
- Encouraging healthy lifestyles
Through this collaboration, both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to raising not only football stars but also responsible, empowered young leaders who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Looking Ahead
At PLAN Foundation, we believe that soccer is more than just a game, as it is a bridge that connects health, education, empowerment, and opportunity. This partnership with FC Peridot Academy represents a shared vision of creating a healthier, more inclusive, and resilient generation of young people.
Together, we are building a future where the football field becomes a classroom for life, and where every kick of the ball brings us closer to raising champions of life, and not just champions of the game.
Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Social Mobilization and Media Officer,
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation),
Ibadan, Nigeria
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng
X – @NG_PLAN
About Us
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation), was the first independent support group for people with HIV (PHIV) in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. It is on record that we had the opportunity to participate actively and notably in most of these processes.
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