President Bola Tinubu congratulated Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya for his world record-breaking chess marathon campaign at Times Square in New York
In a statement on Saturday, signed by Ajiri Ngelale, the president celebrated the chess champion for the “rare feat.”
Onakoya is using the campaign to raise $1 million for his non-profit organisation Chess In Slums, which exceeded the chess marathon record of 56 hours set in 2018, to an outpouring of support and cheers.
President Tinubu believes the effort demonstrates “a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population.
“I celebrate this Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his 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,” the statement reads further.
“Tunde 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.
“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 said.
“I commend the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour.
“I assure all citizens that my 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 into the future.”
