Nyuima Shines as Lagos, NSC Applaud NSSF at National School Board Games
LAGOS – Despite being relatively unknown, 17-year-old Ferdinand Tersee Nyuima captured the attention of spectators at the inaugural National School Board Games, organized by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) in partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB). The two-day event featured over 300 students from across the country, but Nyuima emerged as the standout star.
Dignitaries in attendance included Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun; National Sports Commission (NSC) representative, Lanre Ogunjobi; LASUBEB Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Shittu; and NSSF President, Olabisi Joseph. The audience witnessed an electrifying performance from Nyuima, who is considered Nigeria’s top chess talent.
Nyuima’s Path to Victory
A senior secondary school student from Platform College, Lagos, Nyuima claimed the boys’ U-18 chess championship title, dominating all his competitors. Even before his victory was officially announced, Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) Vice President, Adeyinka Adewole, introduced him as a rising star. When the Benue-born prodigy was declared the winner, it felt like the coronation of a chess king.
Officials Hail the Event’s Success
The tournament received commendations from government officials and sports leaders, who described it as a vital initiative for developing students’ cognitive abilities.
Commissioner Alli-Balogun expressed pride in Lagos hosting the event and promised ongoing support for future editions. He emphasized the importance of collaborations like the NSSF-LASUBEB partnership to advance sports at the grassroots level.
Ogunjobi, representing NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, aligned the event with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring continuous NSC backing for school sports programs to promote healthy competition among students.
LASUBEB Chairman Dr. Shittu celebrated the event’s success and vowed to expand future editions, ensuring greater participation and impact.
Future Prospects for Nigerian School Sports
NSSF President Olabisi Joseph commended all participating students and teams, particularly those from Northern, Eastern, and Southern regions. She expressed plans to expand such initiatives to more states.
“I must commend LASUBEB and Lagos State for hosting this event on short notice. I hope other states will collaborate with us to organize similar competitions that help discover young talent. Winners from this event will represent Nigeria at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) Games in Serbia and the African School Sports Games in Morocco later this year,” she added.
