President Bola Tinubu commended Tunde Onakoya on breaking a world chess record and highlighting Nigeria’s persistence, self-belief, and inventiveness for worldwide recognition. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, issued the statement on Saturday in Abuja.
On Saturday, Tunde Onakoya established the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing for more than 58 hours and winning every round. He stated that the President congratulated the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa on his unique achievement.
He stated Tinubu also praised the motivation behind this remarkable exhibition of character, which is to raise funds for African youngsters to study and find opportunities through chess.
“The President believes that Mr Onakoya has demonstrated a trait common to Nigeria’s youth population: the daring to effect positive change, to defy adversity, and to propel inventions and solutions to the nation’s difficulties, even from the most disadvantaged areas.
“The President affirms that Nigeria’s youngsters have proved in various disciplines, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the throbbing skit-making enterprise, education, science, and technology, that big things may genuinely come from tiny beginnings.
“President Tinubu commends the inclination of Nigerians—across artificial partitions—for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour,” he said in a statement.
Tunde Onakoya
Ngelale stated that the President informed all residents that his administration is still committed to providing and extending chances for young people to explore and express their talents, and to become the emblems of greatness that our country represents in the future.