President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mr. Tunde Onakoya 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.
A statement issued on Saturday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) observed that Mr. Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon on Saturday, after playing for over 58 hours and winning every match in tow.
It said President Tinubu 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.
READ ALSO: After Playing For 60 Hours Non-Stop, Tunde Onakoya Breaks Guinness World Record’s Longest Chess Marathon
The President stated that Mr. Onakoya has shown, as is 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.
Tinubu 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.
The president commended the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour.
He 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.
Tinubu’s acknowledgment of Onakoya’s audacity to make positive change happen reflects a deep appreciation for the qualities that define Nigeria’s youth population. It speaks to their unwavering resolve to challenge the status quo, push boundaries, and chart new paths towards progress and prosperity. In celebrating Onakoya’s achievement, Tinubu not only honors the individual but also pays tribute to the collective spirit of innovation and resilience that courses through the veins of the nation.
At the heart of Tinubu’s message lies a profound recognition of the transformative power of determination and perseverance. Onakoya’s journey to set a new world chess record was undoubtedly fraught with challenges and obstacles, yet he refused to be deterred by adversity. Instead, he embraced the opportunity to defy impossibility, shatter barriers, and propel innovations and solutions that have the potential to uplift and empower communities across Nigeria and beyond.
By extending his congratulations to Onakoya, Tinubu reaffirms his commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers in Nigeria. He recognizes the importance of providing young people with the resources, opportunities, and encouragement they need to unleash their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society. Through initiatives that promote education, entrepreneurship, and skills development, Tinubu aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of talent and creativity that drives Nigeria’s progress and prosperity.
