Ireti Senior Grammar School wins PwC’s 7th Chess4Change Grand Slam
Ireti Senior Grammar School has won this year’s edition of the PwC Chess4Change Grand Slam. The three-day event which was held in the Molade Okoya Thomas indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun stadium, Surulere, Lagos from 28 to 30 September 2022, had students from the seventeen participating schools, and dignitaries from various walks of life, at the closing ceremony.
With 16 (1504) points, Ireti Senior Grammar School claimed the coveted prize which was accompanied by a life-sized chess board, generator, and trophy. Lagos City College came second with 16 (1474) points winning a public address system, while Falomo High School came third with 15½ (1443) points, and was rewarded with a colour printer.
In the individual category, Iheanyichukwu Michael of Ireti Senior Grammar School came first with a prize of a laptop, chess set, and clock; Aliegwu Willibrord of Falomo Senior High School placed second with a prize of a tablet & keypad and chess set, and Omotoye Taiwo came third with a prize of a phone and chess set. Fourth to tenth positions were also rewarded with cash and a chess set each.
In his welcome remark, Mr. Onome Akpajo, Chief Arbiter of the event, stated that this year’s edition was the most keenly contested. He added, “it will be interesting to note that we had six rounds of grueling Chess play both at the team and individual events.”
The students also received motivating words from Mr. Edafe Erhie, Partner, PwC Nigeria, who stated that “Chess prepares you for the outside world. We have sponsored this programme for seven years now and we have seen the impact it has had on the lives of the beneficiaries some of who have gone on to win local and international laurels.”
Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education similarly added that “when you are a good chess player, you will have that skill of critical and analytical thinking. I want you to translate this skill into your study habits… don’t just be a player, be someone who wants to tap the skills that chess playing can give you.”
Responding, International Chess Master Isaac Okebe, a product of the PwC Chess4Change initiative gave a heartwarming testimonial on how the initiative had positively impacted him. As part of the closing ceremony, a 10-move exhibition game on a life-sized chess board was held between Rahmon Idowu, a two-time Grand Slam winner, and Iheanyichukwu Michael who later emerged winner in the individual category.
Representatives of the Ministry of Education in Lagos State included Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, Permanent Secretary; Mrs. Olubunmi Sosoyan, Director, Co-curricular services; Mr. Segun Omodunni, Deputy Director, Sports unit, Co-curricular services; Mrs. Adenike Ajayi, Director, Co-curricular, Science and Tech. Education District IV; and Mrs. Olu-Young, Deputy Director, Co-curricular services. Other dignitaries were Mr Edafe Erhie, Partner PwC Nigeria; Mr. Sylva Ifedigbo, Senior Manager, PwC Nigeria; Mrs. Olabowale Adeosun, Secretary, Nigerian Chess Federation; Mr. Onome Akpajo, Chief Arbiter; and Isaac Okebe, an International Chess Master.
The PwC Chess4Change initiative is implemented yearly in collaboration with Media Vision, a leading sports marketing and activations company, and with the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Lagos Sports Commission, and the Lagos State Chess Association.
