News
FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament
Date: 09-04-26
FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.
Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, "Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships - 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship."
Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. "Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”
The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.
Date: 09-04-26
.jpeg)
FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.
Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, "Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships - 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship."
Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. "Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”
The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.
LINKS
- VENO tv: Business Access Bank Plc Appoints Oluseyi Kumapayi as DMD, African Subsidiaries- VENO TV | FEATURE | ROYAL NEWS Prince Mayowa Aroloye Emerges New Owa-Elect of Idanre Defeats six other contenders as Idanreland prepares to welcome a new traditional ruler after over two years without a substantive monarch.
- EDITORIAL | NOVEMBER 3, 2026 TINUBU KISSES BLACK STONE IN MAKKAH: HISTORY, FAITH AND THE DEBATE OVER NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS Abacha, Buhari and Tinubu: Is History Repeating Itself, or Are Nigerians Reading Too Much Into a Religious Tradition?
- VENO TV | FOREIGN NEWS | NOVEMBER 2, 2026 British Man Completes Round-the-World Walk After 28 Years Former British soldier Karl Bushby covers approximately 50,000 kilometres across four continents, returns home to emotional welcome.
- VENO TV | FOREIGN NEWS King Charles Acknowledges Injustices of Slavery, as Caribbean Nations Demand Reparations British monarch admits historical suffering during Caribbean visit but stops short of formal apology.
- VENO TV: FirstBank Partners Google Pay, Expands Digital Payment Options for Cardholders Bank strengthens digital banking innovation with secure, convenient and contactless payment solutions.
- VENO tv: ISRAEL ELECTION: GADI EISENKOT EMERGES AS NETANYAHU'S MAIN CHALLENGER AS POLLS NEAR CLOSE Former Israeli military chief mounts strong opposition challenge as millions vote in crucial parliamentary election.
- VENO TV | FEATURE AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI MEETS GOV. BAGO, INVITES HIM TO SE DIYE IN BUGUMA
- VENO tv: BUSINESS ACCESS HOLDINGS TRANSFORMS WASTE TYRES INTO SCHOOL SANDALS FOR 10,450 CHILDREN
- VENO TV | FEATURE AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI TAKES ROYAL DIPLOMACY TO IFE, SEEKS HISTORIC CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC ALLIANCE WITH OONI From the Source of Elem Kalabari to the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, the royal visit strengthens inter-kingdom friendship ahead of the December 19 SE DIYE coronation ceremony.
- VENO tv | ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Friday, October 23, 2026 RAYE WINS 2026 MERCURY PRIZE FOR SECOND ALBUM British singer defeats Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean and other top stars to claim prestigious music award.
- VENO tv | FEATURE MY TRIBUTE TO MY DEPARTED HUSBAND: A GALLANT SOLDIER IS GONE A Life of Service, Love, Sacrifice and Enduring Legacy By Morohunmubo Anike Okosun (Mubo Okosun)
- VENO TV OPINION 2027 ELECTION: AJÁ TÓ BÁ GBÉ EGUNGUN S??NU, KÒ LÈ GBÓ! “A DOG WITH A BONE IN ITS MOUTH CANNOT BARK!” When the voices of conscience become silent, who will speak for the suffering masses?
- VENO tv: DA-AMAKIRI TUBO: THE JOURNEY OF AMANYANABO MUJAHID ABUBAKR DOKUBO-ASARI From the Niger Delta struggle to the throne of Elem Kalabari: A life shaped by conviction, sacrifice and service
- VENO tv | FROM THE PULPIT SUNDAY TONIC WITH PASTOR PRINCESS VENISA OJO Popularly known as Omo Oba Jesu FAITH TRIUMPHS IN TROUBLE
- VENO tv: BUSINESS FirstBank Sponsors 2026 Georgian Cup, Reaffirms Commitment to Polo Historic partnership dating back to 1919 celebrates over a century of sporting excellence.
- VENO tv | FEATURE BEFORE SCOOPING FUEL FROM A FALLEN TANKER, WRITE YOUR WILL
- VENO TV: POLITICS GOVERNOR ADELEKE TO PRESIDENT TINUBU: “THE VICTORY HAS COME, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL” …As Accord Party Chieftain Distances Party Members from Governor's Declaration
- VENO INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE EDITORIAL | POLITICS 14 OCTOBER 2026 TINUBU MUST GO VS TINUBU MUST STAY! Two Conflicting Voices, One Nigeria: What Does This Mean for 2027?
- VENO tv | EDITORIAL ON THE MARCH AGAIN! GRAB YOUR PVC AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS Your Permanent Voter's Card Is Your Licence to Participate in Nigeria's Democratic Process
Page 1 of 71 [Next] [Last Page]