Th
e Secondary school chess game for safer school of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in partnership with National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has come to an end in Abuja.
Over 12 Secondary Schools in and around Abuja participated in the Chess competition flagged off at the Federal Secretariate Abuja by the President of National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria Dr Festus Daniel and the FCT Chairman of POCACOV Engr Mustapha Mahmoud.
The event which will birth the formation of chess club in all the secondary schools in and around Abuja intended to promote non-violence and increase positive relationships with youth, safety and security officers, while utilizing the game of chess as the vehicle for engagement.
The competition targets among other things to Sensitize the students on the dangers of belonging to cult group(s), re-awaken the security consciousness of the students and inculcate moral values in them.
At the closing ceremony of the competition, held at the conference hall of the National Human Rights Commission Aguiyi Ironsi Steet, Maitama Abuja, POCACOV FCT Chairman Engr Mustapha Mahmoud enjoined the students to allow the lessons of the game manifest in their lives as they go home.
“As you are playing this game of Chess, I will like you to learn from the game. I will like you to open your mind and your game so that the lessons of this game will be applied in your day-to-day life and in everything you do.” said by Mustapha Mahmoud.
Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to Pace setters Secondary school Abuja as they emerged the NISCN/POCACOV SECONDARY SCHOOL CHESS CHAMPION for 2021 and a drama presentation by Royal Silly Academy Abuja on the Negative effect of Drug abuse.
Other speakers at the event, which included Safety experts, security personnel’s, Teachers and guidance and counselling experts, spoke on the positive effect of the game of chess, which afford additional engagement opportunities to students from diverse communities.
They advised the students involved in the competition to serve as mentors and role models through chess centered programs in their school environment and communities.
“POCACOV recognize the many outcomes and skills that chess provides the youth; such as strategy, analytical, critical thinking, team building, life skills to name a few”
In line with POCACOV vision, “the school chess game is used as a platform to deepen POCACOV campaign against cultism and other vices, among other issues, as well as Safety consciousness”.
“POCACOV school chess game serves as a platform for reorientation, mentoring of students to become a strategic and creative leader and finally a champion for strategic leadership direction.
It is expected that the concept of one chess board can make a difference program of POCACOV and NISCN will be replicated in all secondary schools in FCT and the nation.
