President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, for setting a new world chess record, citing it as a testament to Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and innovative spirit on the global stage.
Onakoya shattered the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon on Saturday, engaging in continuous play for over 58 hours and emerging victorious in every match.
In a statement released by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his remarkable achievement. He particularly highlighted the noble cause behind Onakoya’s endeavor, which involves raising funds to support African children in learning and discovering opportunities through chess.
The President emphasized that Onakoya exemplifies the indomitable spirit commonly found among Nigeria’s youth, showcasing the courage to effect positive change, defy impossibilities, and drive innovations and solutions to address the nation’s challenges, even from disadvantaged backgrounds.
President Tinubu underscored the remarkable achievements of Nigeria’s youth across various fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, skit-making, education, science, and technology, illustrating that great accomplishments can originate from humble beginnings.
The President commended the collective unity of Nigerians, transcending artificial divides, as demonstrated by their unwavering support for Onakoya’s historic endeavor.
He reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to creating and expanding opportunities for youth empowerment, allowing them to harness and showcase their talents, and become beacons of greatness for the nation’s future.
