UNODC, Others Host Chess in Prisons Championship.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Chess in Slums Africa, and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have collaborated to host the first-ever Annual Chess in Prisons Championship.
The event, which coincided with International Human Rights Day, was held on Tuesday at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre.
The competition saw both prisoners and officers vying for the prestigious title of “Chess Master,” showcasing their chess skills. The programme emphasized building sportsmanship, mutual respect, and personal transformation.
The programme also set out to empower through training, with over 100 prisoners and officers undergoing training sessions and gaining valuable life skills through chess workshops.
It also promoted the establishment of a Chess Club, as Prisoners formed a chess club, with over 200 enrolments recorded, even as it fostered Community building, promoting collaboration and shared learning among prisoners and officers, fostering unity.
The programme equally advanced rehabilitation as the initiative strengthened the NCoS’s commitment to meaningful rehabilitation by focusing on cognitive development and positive reinforcement.
UNODC Representative Cheikh Toure, emphasized the programme’s impact, stating that: “Chess is more than just a game; it’s a platform for learning strategy, patience, and decision-making—skills crucial for successful reintegration into society.”
This innovative programme highlights the transformative power of chess in rehabilitating and empowering individuals and promoting human rights and dignity in correctional settings.
