THE World Unified Martial Arts Federation for Peace has charged Nigerians to use its educational platform to develop both skill and character that will develop a new generation of young leaders .

The organisation identified selfishness as the root cause of majority problems facing humanity and urged leaders to place collective interests above personal gains and aggrandizement

International chairman ,World Tongimood Federation , Dr Chung Sik Yong who spoke as special guest at the international conference of Martial Arts and official launching of the World Martial Arts For Peace Initiative and award ceremony in Abuja on Saturday with the theme “the role of Martial Arts in nation building” emphasized that when groups pursue only their own interests,society becomes divided .

According to him ,” When leaders place personal interests above the people, corruption grows. When nations pursue only their own interests,conflict and even war can follow .

“Therefore ,if selfishness is one of the fundamental causes of our problems ,we must cultivate the opposite way of life ,living for the sake of others, because this is not weakness ,it is strength,it means developing people who ask not only what can I receive but also what can I give ,not only what can my country do for me but what can I do for my country and my people .

“This is the spirit we want to teach through martial arts and martial arts must build character, should never be limited to kicking , punching ,throwing or physical competition . The greatest victory is not over another person ,the greatest victory is over oneself .”

He said his vision will be to ensure that WUMAFP reaches young people who have been forgotten or who believe they have no future, “our message to them simple , from zero to hero”.

Dr Yong announced a 40-day pilot programme for Nigerian youths as a practical begining ,stressing that ,” this programme would combine martial arts training with universal values, character education where young people would learn discipline, respect, responsibility, leadership, service,teamwork and thr principle of living for the sake of others.

” We should begin with a manageable number of young people, train them well,evaluate the results ,improve the programme and then expand from one community to another ,from one school to another from one state to another and eventually throughout Nigeria”.

Speaking earlier , the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Babangida Nguroje called on the ministry of sports to accommodate the Tongil Moodo into the school curriculum and promised to works towards facilitating the sponsorship of a bill that will give it legal backing .

Hon Nguroje who received the global Protector and Patron award expressed happiness that Nigeria is already competing intentionally in the sport and rapidly sharing in its vision and mission .

He maintained that Nigerian’s participation in the 2023 and 2025 editions of the World Tongilmoodo event with 22 delegates was remarkable and an indication that inculcating discipline and character in the youths presents them a great opportunity to becoming better leaders beyound self defence .

“As a youth advocate I perfectly relate to the push for mind and body Unification of Nigerian youths because I know what such knowledge can do to a youth .”

He said the physical health ,self defense and fitness of youths aee key and it’s importance cannot be overemphasized.

He said the presence of the sport in Africa and Nigeria in particular was mind blowing and timely .

In his remarks, former Presidential Adviser of Niger Delta and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty ,General Paul Boroh commended the initiative as one way to nurture Nigeria youths .

Former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia also promised to affiliate his football academy with the World Tongilmoodo Federation and commended the initiative.