Tunde Onakoya, a distinguished Nigerian chess player and coach, who has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, has arrived in Maiduguri with the objective of promoting the game among the youth.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onakoya, the esteemed founder and convener of “Chess in Slums in Africa,” which is dedicated to providing interventions for children residing in the slums of Lagos, arrived in Maiduguri on Friday.
Upon his arrival, the chess master paid a visit to the children residing in the internally displaced persons camps of Muna and Bolori, who have been trained in chess by members of the 105 Composite Group of the Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Mess Club.
Tunde Onakoya, who engaged in interactive sessions and participated in chess games with both male and female children in the camps, commended them for their dedication and enthusiasm towards the game.
While encouraging them to maintain their momentum, Onakoya emphasized that the game would not only refine their talents but also provide them with opportunities akin to those he has experienced.
He recounted his own narrative as an individual emerging from a modest background, akin to theirs, and how he commenced his journey of learning the game at the age of 10.
Numerous children, particularly girls who have endured trauma as a result of the insurgency, expressed that the game has been instrumental in their healing and recovery processes.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tunde Onakoya and his team also made a courtesy visit to the Commander of the 105 Composite Group of the Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Air Commodore C.O. Olayera.
The commander praised him for the initiative aimed at assisting vulnerable children in exploring their talents and potentials.
Olayera assured the commitment of the Air Force to collaborate with stakeholders as an aspect of its social responsibility in supporting vulnerable children in their pursuit of education.
According to him, this collaboration will also serve as a platform for nurturing and mentoring the children, enabling them to excel in diverse fields and contribute to societal growth and development.
