Inmate Triumphs in Maiden Chess Championship, Secures N1 Million Prize at Maiduguri Custodial Centre
An inmate at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre has won the inaugural Chess in Prison Championship, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), securing a prize of N1 million. The tournament took place on Tuesday within the correctional facility and saw 42 participants from both medium and maximum custodial centers in the state competing in various categories.
During the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the initiative as a pioneering effort and encouraged inmates to draw inspiration from the lessons learned through chess to unlock their true potential. Represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Babatunde Ogundare, the minister emphasized, “This is not merely a correctional facility but a space for transformation. Use the insights from this game to reflect on your life and uncover the hidden strengths within you.”
He praised the UNODC for spearheading this initiative, noting its potential to cultivate critical thinking skills and promote better relationships between inmates and correctional staff. The minister also assured inmates of upcoming improvements to the center’s infrastructure, aiming to align it with the Kuje Correctional Centre standards in Abuja. “We are committed to ensuring that the quality of custodial centers across the country matches that of Kuje,” he stated.
Chinedu Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on Reformation, announced a reward of N1 million for the tournament winner, which will be presented upon the inmate completing the remaining six months of their sentence. Expressing his approval of the UNODC initiative, Ogah also addressed critical issues faced by inmates, including a water shortage. “Contractors will begin work next week to resolve the water problems you are experiencing,” he affirmed.
Additionally, Tunde Onakoya, a Guinness World Record holder and the convener of Chess in Slums Africa, pledged N100,000 in cash awards for the top three participants. The UNODC Project Coordinator for Prisons and Penal Reforms highlighted that the initiative aims to provide inmates with vital life skills, improve mental well-being, and aid in their reintegration into society.
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