The Agege Local Government has hosted a literacy programme for nursery and primary school pupils within the council area, in a renewed effort to strengthen early learning and promote academic development among young learners.
The event, held as part of the council’s education support initiatives, brought together pupils from various public schools for a day of interactive learning, reading activities, and intellectual engagement.
A major highlight of the programme was the participation of Nigeria’s renowned chess champion and coach, Dr. Tunde Onakoya, who held an exciting chess session with the pupils. His session focused on strategic thinking, discipline, and problem-solving — skills he described as essential for children in their foundational years.
Onakoya, who currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, captivated the pupils with practical demonstrations and one-on-one interactions. He encouraged them to develop the habit of continuous learning and to embrace chess as a tool for intellectual growth.
The celebrated chess master is also the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit initiative that has provided educational and empowerment interventions to children living in underserved communities. His organisation has carried out transformative projects in Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko, and most recently, Oshodi.
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Officials of the Agege Local Government described the literacy programme as part of ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes and nurture the potential of children within the community. They noted that the involvement of Onakoya added a unique value to the initiative, inspiring students to aim higher academically and creatively.
The council said it remains committed to expanding similar programmes to ensure that every child in Agege has access to quality foundational learning opportunities.
