Potentialities of Recreation in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building in Nigeria

Abstract

Recreation serves as an avenue to dissipate tension, bring immediate satisfaction to an individual and promote unity and solidarity among community members. This paper examined the potentialities of recreation in conflict resolution and peace building in Nigeria. The paper looked at the causes of conflict and insecurity in Nigeria; and conflict resolution and peace building strategies that can be utilized. The paper is of the opinion that recreation holds the potentialities of aiding resolution of conflicts during negotiation, mediation and diplomacy. The role of recreation in strengthening community ties, crime reduction, promoting social bonding, cultural diversity and harmony were highlighted. The paper is also of the opinion that recreation holds potentialities that needs to be harnessed during peace building processes of reconstruction of people, and places, reconciliation and resolution in order to ensure that obstacles to development and peaceful coexistence of the diverse cultural and ethno religious people in Nigeria can be averted. The paper recommended that governments should through its relevant agencies, ministries and conflict resolution committees ensure that recreational activities and facilities be part of conflict resolution and peace building processes, as this will help to build social cohesion among them.