Founder Onyedinma Ikechukwu says initiative targets children’s creativity as programme expands from Lagos and Port Harcourt to Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory is set to welcome the Season 3 Abuja Edition of the Genius Chess TV Quiz Show, a fast-rising educational platform aimed at boosting intellectual development and strategic thinking among children. The event will take place in Abuja on June 29 and 30, following recent editions in Port Harcourt and Lagos this June.

According to organisers, the Abuja leg marks a significant milestone as the show pushes its reach beyond southern cities, with previous Season 3 editions successfully held in Port Harcourt on June 12 and in Lagos from June 18 to 22. The initiative seeks to harness chess as a tool for academic excellence, providing young Nigerians with practical opportunities to develop critical reasoning skills through televised competitions.

The programme was founded by Onyedinma Ikechukwu, widely known as Mr. Tender Chess. Reflecting on the journey since its inception in 2023, Ikechukwu stated that the show has now completed four episodes across two seasons and is currently witnessing its most ambitious expansion yet. He described the ongoing third season as proof of growing interest and support for child-focused intellectual contests nationwide.

Chess education advocates argue that such initiatives are essential in Nigeria’s evolving education sector, where emphasis on creative problem-solving is increasingly prioritised alongside traditional academic achievement. Stakeholders say projects like Genius Chess TV Quiz Show can help bridge learning gaps while preparing children for competitive futures both locally and internationally.

The Abuja edition is expected to feature participants from various schools within the FCT, with winners likely to receive recognition and support for further development. Organisers say plans are underway to bring subsequent editions to more Nigerian cities. As at press time, government officials had not issued a formal response regarding potential partnership or endorsement of the programme.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/the-genius-chess-tv-quiz-show-lands-in-abuja-empowers-next-generation-of-strategic-thinkers/

Stakeholders warn that over 40 million metric tonnes of food wasted yearly due to infrastructural gaps and inconsistent government policies

Nigeria’s logistics sector is facing severe challenges, leading to an estimated annual loss of ₦5 trillion and wastage of more than 40 million metric tonnes of food, according to the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi. Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday at the 10th Anniversary lecture of City Business News, themed ‘Logistics as the Engine Room of Nigeria’s Economy’, Oyeyemi highlighted how inefficiencies within the supply chain are impacting both the economy and food security nationwide.

Oyeyemi, who is also a former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), explained that persistent issues such as poor infrastructure, inadequate transport facilities, and frequent changes in policy have contributed to rising costs for goods across the country. He stated that logistics failures after harvest are responsible for a financial drain estimated between $2.3 billion and $3.3 billion annually (equivalent to over ₦5 trillion at current exchange rates), with millions of tonnes of agricultural produce lost before reaching consumers.

The CILT president emphasised that these losses are not just financial but also have social consequences, as they contribute to increasing food prices and limit access for vulnerable Nigerians. The situation has become more critical in recent years due to lack of investment in road networks and storage facilities, as well as delays caused by regulatory bottlenecks.

“The financial consequences of these logistics failures are immense. Post-harvest logistics failures result in an estimated annual financial drain… The numerous challenges facing the sector have triggered high cost of products,” Oyeyemi said during his address at the event.

Industry experts and stakeholders present at the lecture called on government to prioritise long-term solutions by investing in transport infrastructure and ensuring consistent policies that support supply chain growth. They warned that unless urgent action is taken, Nigeria’s ability to achieve food security targets may be undermined.

As at now, there has been no official response from government agencies regarding new measures to address these challenges. However, analysts say improving coordination between ministries responsible for agriculture, transport, and trade will be crucial if Nigeria is to reduce food waste and minimise financial losses linked to poor logistics.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/poor-logistics-inconsistent-policies-cause-40m-metric-tonnes-of-foods-n5trn-loss-yearly/

Faith-based group empowers hundreds through hands-on training as white collar job market remains tight

Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Centre has intensified its youth empowerment drive in Agege, Lagos, holding a skills acquisition programme on Tuesday aimed at reducing youth unemployment by equipping students and graduates with practical expertise. The event brought together tertiary-level participants who received training in key areas needed for today’s competitive labour market.

The skills development initiative, which started in 2024, is designed to address the country’s rising unemployment rate by discouraging over-reliance on white collar jobs and promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths. According to Abdulrahman Thabit, Coordinator of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Centre in Lagos, the programme has already impacted hundreds of beneficiaries who are now building careers with the skills acquired.

“Our target is to raise Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf of this generation. Islamic history will not be complete without mentioning him because he showed us that it is not over until it is over,” Thabit said while addressing participants. He noted that the centre’s approach focuses on both leadership and vocational training as a way to provide lasting solutions to unemployment challenges faced by young people.

The centre emphasised the importance of introducing practical skill acquisition at an early stage, arguing that such exposure will prepare youths for self-reliance and reduce dependence on the shrinking formal job sector. Stakeholders at the event encouraged participants to seize opportunities created by the changing economy and assured them of continued support from Al-Habibiyyah.

As Nigeria continues to record high youth unemployment rates, initiatives like this are seen as critical interventions. The centre plans to expand its programmes across other states, with further training sessions scheduled for later in the year.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/al-habibiyyah-promotes-early-skills-learning-to-address-rising-youth-unemployment/