Former Anambra Governor and Political activist, Peter Obi has celebrated the victory of Tunde Onakoya, the chess master and founder of Chess in Slum who days broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Obi stated in a post on X that he had been following the young man through his journey to break the record.
‘’My dear Tunde Onakoya, I dutifully followed with keen interest, your noble mission and cherished aspirations to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon for 58 hours.
‘’Your victory is another poignant reminder that Nigeria is home to millions of diversely talented youths, waiting to shine on the global stage.
“Thank you for adding your talent and voice in inspiring millions of Nigerian youths to remain committed to the virtues of hard work and excellence, through which we will build the New Nigeria we look forward to,” Obi concluded.
Peter Obi was not the only one who congratulated Tunde. The former vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo also took to his X handle to celebrate him.
‘’You have consistently exemplified one of life’s biggest ironies: that attaining a life of significance comes from serving the least significant among us.
‘’Congratulations Tunde on this monumental feat, and the continuing phenomenal achievements of Chess in Slums in Africa on setting a new world chess record and sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim,” Osinbajo wrote.
With that same hand, President Bola Tinubu also took to his handle to congratulate him for winning and giving hope to the young ones out there.
Read what the President wrote.
‘’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.
“Tunde has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and to 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.
“I commend the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavor.
“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 in the future.“
