The PwC Chess4Change 4th Edition kicked off with the Press Conference at the Grand Junction, Landmark Towers by 12noon.
The Press Conference had in attendance:
- Mr. Pedro Omontuemhen – Principal Partner, PwC
- Ms. Delia Asuzu – Senior Manager, Clients and Market Development, PwC
- Dr. Kweku Tandoh – Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission
- Mrs. Folashade Ledeju – Director, Admin and Human Resources, Ministry of Education
- Mr. Bayo Babalola – Lagos State Chess Association
- Mrs. Nike Abiola – MediaVision Limited
- Chess Facilitators
- District Officers
- Principals, students and Games Masters of participating schools
- Members of the Press
Mrs Abiola welcomed everyone to the press conference while expressing her gratitude to the sponsors for its support of the initiative. In her speech, she stated that the objective of the program is being achieved. She outlined the various improvements made by the students in academics, morals and leadership while also welcoming the six new schools added this year.
In his statement, Mr. Omontuemhen emphasized the commitment of PwC to the Chess4Change program while also stating that PwC is committed to development of students in the state. Speaking further, he stated that expansion of the program to other schools is to enable the spread of the benefits of the program to other communities in the state.
Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ledeju added that she wished she had the same opportunity to learn chess like they do and encouraged the students to encourage their friends to join the initiative.
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Tandoh gave the final remarks. He commended PwC and the Ministry of Education for their contribution to the success of the Chess4Change Initiative. He expressed his delight at the concept of merging education and sports stating that he would recommend it for the commission’s programmes. He concluded by stating “Chess is not just a game, but an educational and developmental tool.”
The new schools were formally introduced and they were presented with five chess sets and five chess clocks each for the program.
Mariam Adams who is currently the Head Girl of Kuramo Senior Secondary School, Victoria Island shared her experience in the PwC Chess4Change Programme expressing her appreciation and the impact of chess in her life.
Mr Okusanya, a teacher from Wahab Folawiyo High School, Ikoyi also commended PwC for the program enumerating the benefits it has had on the students and teachers involved.
The new schools included in the 2018 PwC Chess4Change program are CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Bariga; Ajayi Crowther Memorial Grammar School; Eva Adelaja Senior Girls Grammar School, Bariga; Euba Junior Secondary School, Mushin; Immaculate Heart Senior High School, Maryland; and Unity Junior High School, Oshodi.
The Vote of thanks was delivered by Mr Ajibade from Education District II.
See more photos below:
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
