Tunde Onakoya, the renowned Nigerian chess player and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, recently had the honor of meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest chess marathon. This remarkable achievement was accomplished by Onakoya and his American chess counterpart, Shawn Martinez, in an intense, non-stop chess session lasting over 58 hours in the iconic Times Square, New York City, from April 17 to April 20, 2025.
During their meeting, Onakoya shared the inspiring narrative of his journey, highlighting his unwavering dedication to leveraging chess as a powerful tool for empowering underserved children and promoting education. Through his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya has been able to reach out to children in neglected communities, providing them with educational opportunities and helping them develop critical thinking skills through chess.
President Tinubu was deeply impressed by Onakoya’s achievement and the impact of his work. The President praised Onakoya’s efforts, describing his story as a testament to the resilience and potential of Nigerian youth. Tinubu expressed his admiration for Onakoya’s vision and his commitment to using chess as a means of promoting education and empowering young people.
The President also expressed interest in scaling Onakoya’s initiative nationally, recognizing the potential benefits it could bring to the country’s education sector and youth development. Tinubu pledged government support to expand the reach of Onakoya’s initiative, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to inclusive education and youth development.
As a symbol of their meeting and the President’s appreciation for Onakoya’s work, Onakoya gifted President Tinubu a special edition gold-plated Adire chess set. This gesture was a testament to the strong bond between Onakoya and the President, who share a common vision for promoting education and empowering young people.
The meeting between Onakoya and President Tinubu highlights the importance of innovative approaches to education and youth development. Onakoya’s initiative has shown that chess can be a powerful tool for promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills in children. The government’s support for this initiative is a welcome development, and it is expected that it will have a positive impact on the lives of many young people in Nigeria.
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
– *Guinness World Record*: Tunde Onakoya presented his certificate for the longest chess marathon, a remarkable achievement that showcases his dedication and passion for the game.
– *Chess in Slums Africa*: President Tinubu commended Onakoya’s initiative for creating educational opportunities in neglected communities and promoting the development of young people.
– *Government Support*: The President pledged to support Onakoya’s initiative and explore possibilities for national expansion, recognizing the potential benefits it could bring to the country’s education sector and youth development.
– *Gift*: Onakoya gifted President Tinubu a gold-plated Adire-designed chess board, symbolizing their meeting and the President’s appreciation for Onakoya’s work.
The meeting between Onakoya and President Tinubu is a significant development that highlights the importance of collaboration between government and civil society in promoting education and youth development. It is expected that Onakoya’s initiative will continue to receive support from the government and other stakeholders, enabling it to reach more young people and make a positive impact on their lives.
In conclusion, the meeting between Tunde Onakoya and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in promoting education and youth development. Onakoya’s achievement and his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, are an inspiration to many young people in Nigeria and beyond. The government’s support for this initiative is a welcome development, and it is expected that it will have a positive impact on the lives of many young people.
