Tobias Sylvester
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian Chess master, Tunde Onakoya, for his remarkable feat in setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Onakoya made history by surpassing the previous Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing undefeated for 60 hours at New York’s iconic Times Square.
This achievement broke the previous record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018, who played for 56 hours and 9 minutes.
Announcing the feat on his X page, Tunde Onakoya wrote, “60 Hours for those who dare to dream! 60 Hours for the millions of children who have been told to abandon their dreams!
“60 Hours because one person decided that there is no future worth dreaming of that does not include them! It is now #Tunde60HoursofChess #Tunde_OD”
Onakoya had revealed that the primary objective of this chess marathon endeavor was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
In a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu lauded Onakoya’s achievement and his noble mission to empower African children through chess.
Tinubu commended Onakoya for exemplifying the audacity and determination characteristic of Nigeria’s youth population, emphasizing their potential to drive positive change and innovation, even in the face of adversity.
Highlighting the diverse accomplishments of Nigerian youth across various sectors, Tinubu underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to nurturing and expanding opportunities for its young population.
The President expressed profound appreciation for the widespread support demonstrated by Nigerians across all divides,.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering an environment where youth can thrive and become the vanguards of Nigeria’s future greatness.
KanyiDaily recalls that Tunde Onakoya raised nearly $100,000 in donations to support underprivileged children worldwide, emphasizing the transformative power of education.
