A 12-year-old displaced child from Michika Local Council of Adamawa State, Mary Victor Zira, has met with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to present her chess trophy, a symbol of how far determination can take even those from the humblest beginnings.
Mary’s journey began at the EYN Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, where she lives with her family after being uprooted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Amid the daily struggles of camp life, Mary found an unlikely passion through the Chess in IDP Camps Initiative, a project founded by Vivian Ibrahim to inspire hope and critical thinking among displaced children.
What began as a simple pastime quickly became Mary’s calling. She mastered the game with quiet intensity, often staying up late into the night studying moves on makeshift boards. Her talent soon drew attention, and doors began to open.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Mary represented Nigeria at the Chess and Community Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia, where she emerged victorious, earning admiration from international chess enthusiasts. She later showcased her skills again at the United Nations Games in New York, proving that brilliance knows no boundaries of circumstance.
On her return to Nigeria, Mary, accompanied by Vivian Ibrahim and members of her team, paid a courtesy visit to the Adamawa State Government House to present her trophy to Governor Fintiri.
The team also displayed a chessboard, one of the 750 boards donated to the initiative by The Gift of Chess organisation in New York, symbolising a new wave of chess education and youth empowerment in Northern Nigeria.
Fintiri, visibly impressed by Mary’s achievements and composure, pledged his full support for her educational and sporting pursuits.
In addition to commending her for making Adamawa proud on the global stage, he announced a N5 million support fund to aid her continued development.
Mary is now a full scholarship student at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Academy. For Vivian Ibrahim, Mary’s success is only the beginning.
“Chess teaches critical thinking, patience, and discipline,” she said. “If one child like Mary can rise from an IDP camp to international recognition, imagine what hundreds more can achieve with the right support.”
