Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Celebrates Onakoya’s New World Chess Record

President Bola Tinubu commended Chess maestro, Tunde Onakoya on setting a new world chess record as the Lagos State Gov., Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated the Nigerian Chess master.

Tinubu thanked Onakoya for “sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim”.

The Presidency said in a statement signed by the President’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale on Saturday.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates Tunde Onakoya on new world chess record.’

Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon on Saturday, after playing for over 58 hours undefeated.

At the marathon taking place at New York’s Times Square, Onakoya exceeded the record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

The President celebrated the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for the rare feat, but especially “for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess,” said the statement.

Tinubu stated that Mr. Onakoya has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, “the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and propel innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even from corners of disadvantage.”

The President affirmed that Nigeria’s youths have demonstrated in all fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the pulsating skit-making enterprise, education, science and technology, that great exploits can truly come from small quarters.

He commended the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for the epoch-making endeavour.

The President, therefore, assured all citizens that his administration remains strongly committed to creating and expanding opportunities for the youth to explore and exercise their abilities and become the symbols of greatness our nation represents in the future.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Nigerian Chess master, Tunde Onakoya, for setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Onakoya’s remarkable story showed that with determination, dreams can indeed soar to monumental heights.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, while commending Tunde Onakoya for beating World Guinness records, said the journey of the Chess master from Lagos, Nigeria, to global recognition embodies the spirit of Lagos as a great city.

He said: “Congratulations to Chess Master Tunde Onakoya on breaking the world chess marathon record in Times Square, New York, United States of America. Your journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to global recognition embodies the spirit of our great city.

“Tunde continues to demonstrate that greatness can emerge from even the most humble beginnings. His remarkable story serves as a blueprint for all of us in Lagos-a city where his impact has been felt the most, showing that with determination, dreams can indeed soar to monumental heights.

“Tunde’s entire journey was showcased on digital billboards and celebrated with watch parties, capturing the true spirit of Lagos. Despite enduring pain and fatigue, Tunde persevered, driven by his commitment to empower the children he champions.

“This is your moment, Tunde, and Lagos stands with you every step of the way.”

April 20, 2024