Crime: NGO Advocates Introduction of Chess Game In Correctional Homes

James Sowole in Abeokuta

A Non Governmental Organisation, Anchor Heritage Initiative (AHI) in collaboration with Chess to School,  has vowed to continue to champion the cognitive development of young ones in the country to discourage the youths from engaging in crimes.

The organisation made the  pledge at the finals of the first Chess Game organised for the students of Borstal Training Institution, Adigbe Abeokuta.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anchor Heritage Initiative, Bidemi Oladipupo, the organisation decided to use Chess Games to discourage youths from engaging in crimes based on the importance and impacts of the can have on students’ lives.

He said to improve cognitive skills like memory, planning, and problem-solving of individuals, playing chess has been a major tool that reduces symptoms of certain brain conditions.

He said AHI and Chess for School organised the Chess Game for inmates of the Borstal Training Institution, Adigbe based on the conviction that any youth that plays the game or practices it regularly can improve their cognitive function, helping to become more mentally sharp and alert.

He said it would help them have a better memory, attention span, and overall brain function than those who do not play for them to be useful to the Society.

“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Correctional Service to bring this game to the organisation, as a way of contributing to the fight against crime by engaging the youths in the game that will improve their memory, deepen their focus, and elevate their creativity.

“The game of chess is loved all over the world.  It involves an intense intellectual challenge that’s very good for the health of the mind and it develops the ability to see from someone else’s perspective.”

Also speaking at the event, a member of Chess To School, initiative,,  Adekunle Emmanuel said the AHI has engaged the students in the training of Chess Game for almost a hundred days.

He said the initiative which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, is to give the students hope, and opportunities to express themselves positively as the Chess Game is a behavioural science which is an ability to see from another viewpoint the “theory of mind.”

He said about 45 students of Borstal Training Institution  had been taught how to play the game, and it has assisted them with critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and how to be patience, how to be calm and relate the game to daily activities of their lives.

He said Chess was chosen on how to choose a narrative for better kids in the society.

He said the goal for the future of the Students is for them to compete in the international arena after leaving the Institution.

While responding  the Principal Borstal Training Institution, Abeokuta, Mrs Ozuzuma Collete, thanked Anchor Heritage Initiative and Chess To School, for the initiative, saying that the programme would impact positively on the students.

She said with the training and adoption of the game, the Institution is leaving up its mandate as a training ground for the students to adopt new ways of life and live a crime-free life after leaving the centre.

She thanked the Controller General of Nigeria Correctional Service for the approval, saying that since the acceptance of the game among the students, great changes have been noticed among them. END.