‘You’ve shown audacity’ — Tinubu lauds Onakoya for completing GWR chess marathon

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Tunde Onakoya for breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

On Wednesday, Onakoya attempted to set a new world record for the longest chess marathon.

Announcing his attempt, he said he hopes to empower illiterate children across Africa through the feat.

He achieved the feat on Saturday at Times Square in New York City after playing for over 58 hours and winning every match.

Tinubu, in a statement on Twitter, celebrated Onakoya’s achievement.

He commended the chess master for his efforts to raise funds for African children through chess.

Tinubu said Onakoya has “shown audacity to make good change”.

The president also expressed commitment to supporting youth initiatives and fostering opportunities for their growth.

“I congratulate Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD 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,” his statement reads.

“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.

“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 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.”