FIDE President in Nigeria
On 30 May, FIDE President arrived on a working visit to Nigeria, where in Abuja city he participated in the ceremony of inauguration of newly elected President of Nigeria Jonathan Goodluck.
The same day Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with Mr. Asishana Okauru, General Director of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). During the meeting the leaders discussed the issues related to mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and FIDE. It was noted in the interview with Kirsan Ilyumzhinov that the current year has been declared by him as the Year of Africa, a range of events aimed at promotion and popularization of chess in the African continent are planned for this year.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (center) with Nigerian chess officials including past FIDE Vice President Emmanuel Omuku.
According to Ilyumzhinov, FIDE gives special attention to the inclusion of chess in school curriculum and the institutions of higher education.
“In my opinion, along with economic problems and poverty reduction in Africa, no less important attention should be paid to the programmes developing children’s intelligence. The inclusion of chess into the school curriculum will certainly have a positive and lasting effect,” said Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
Following the meeting, the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding, under which FIDE and NGF will hold a preparatory event for the signing of the Agreement to promote chess in all 36 provinces of Nigeria. It is assumed that such Agreement will be signed in July this year. Tomorrow FIDE President will meet with the President of Nigeria Jonathan Goodluck.
Source: https://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/5293-fide-president-in-nigeria.html
The FIDE President should take more “chess” trips to Africa. He rarely visits the continent unless it has to do with his other business matters.
Glad to read that the Fide president visited Nigeria and
the outcome of his visit is commendable. I foresee a new
era for Nigerian chess, with the introduction of chess in
our institutions of education ,chess in this perspective
would contribute in building the moral and intellectual
upliftment of Nigeria. Kudos to NCF, we look foward to
more visits from the FIDE president
dr owen maduka
NAUTH NNEWI(veteran chessmaster)
Good Day
Perhaps you could assist me in contacting Emmanuel Omuku with whom I last had contact in 1994. He knew me then as Kate Langa.
Many thanks and regards
Try him at eomuku@gmail.com.