We’ll harness power of Chess for Youth Devt, curb menace of drug abuse — LASG

The administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will harness the power of Chess as a tool for fostering social inclusion and integration on a grander scale among the youths across Lagos State,” the Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende has said.

Ogunlende said this while playing host to Founder, Chess In Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya and Vice President of Nigeria Chess Foundation, Mr Adeyinka Adewole at Ikeja, the State Capital.

Ogunlende stated that beyond being just a pastime people engage in while away time, the game of chess would be explored by the Ministry as a dignified source of employment and income for the youths.

He added that it was towards ensuring that the youths are well engaged that the Lagos State Government (LASG) established Youth Centres in all the three Senatorial Districts where they are offered opportunities not only to enjoy sporting activities, but also to acquire a skill.

In his words: “Youth engagement is one of the developmental pillars of the THEMES + Agenda which our Ministry is statutorily saddled with the responsibility.”

On their part, Tunde Onakoya and Mr Adeyinka Adewale stated that they decided to leverage the game of chess to help the youths in the State particularly those living in slums.

In her remark, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs), Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that the Ministry would utilise chess to engage most of the youths who have the propensity of going into drug abuse due to idleness.

She said, “As a Ministry, we are going to engage the youths in the State with chess. This is really a profitable activity that can help keep the minds of the idle ones among the youths from going into drug abuse.You know an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, we are going to take full advantage of chess to curb the menace of drug abuse in our society.”