The fourth edition of Pwc Chess4Change Grand Slam kicked-off at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos on Wednesday May 16, 2018 featuring 18 participating secondary schools in Lagos.
The event started at 10:00 am, has schools and their coaches trickled into the venue, buzzing to be the next big name in grassroots Chess.
The following dignitaries were present at the opening ceremony:
- Jide Adeola – PwC
- Grace Etieno-Essienete – PwC
- Barrister Titilayo Solarin – Ministry of Education
- Willy Ogunlamoye – Ministry of Education
- Jimmy Sogbesan – COO, MediaVision Limited
The opening ceremony started off with a welcome address by the Chief Operating Officer of MediaVision Limited, Mr. Jimmy Sogbesan who commended PwC for their dedication and support towards the Chess4Change Initiative. He stated that “the initiative has expanded over the years due to PwC’s commitment to adding value. The PwC Chess4Change initiative is a CSR project that invests in adding value to the lives of the students”.
He also appreciated the Ministry of Education for their persistent support towards the initiative. In closing, he advised the students to take this opportunity and platform seriously because it is important and beneficial to them and the results will show in the future.
Moving further into the event, Mr. Jide Adeola in his remarks explained that the Chess4Change initiative is also aimed at nurturing students to be better people in the society. He encouraged the students to be better people in the society by applying their critical minds into all that they do. With the success story of Jessica Polemoh, he advised them to adopt critical thinking abilities and build themselves up to be role models in the society.
The final remarks was given by Barrister Titilayo Solarin appreciated PwC for the opportunity they have given the students and assured them that the Ministry of Education will continue to support the initiative. In closing, she disclosed that the Ministry of Education will work towards having inter-school chess competitions. Also, the coaches were appreciated for their outstanding tutelage at the schools.
TESTIMONIAL SESSION
The first testimonial was delivered by Oladokun Oyinkansola from Unity Junior High School. In her testimonial, she stated that “the PwC Chess4Change programme has helped foster relationships between students and has taught her that everyone is a winner in chess. Chess had helped her to improve her mathematics grades and has affected her education positively. She will continue to imbibe the chess culture and never let it die”.
Debort Joseph from Eko Akete Senior Grammar School delivered the second testimonial. He said that “The PwC Chess4Change programme has impacted his life and also taught him how to manage time, never give up develop tactics and always have a backup plan.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
