President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Tunde Onakoya for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
In a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s spokesman, in Abuja on Saturday, Tinubu commended Onakoya for his exceptional endurance and skill, having played for over 58 hours and emerged victorious in every match.
The president celebrated Onakoya, hailing him as a true Nigerian Chess Champion and the founder of Chess in Slums Africa.
According to Ngelale, President Tinubu noted that Nigerian youth, exemplified by individuals like Onakoya, possess the courage and innovation to tackle the nation’s challenges and create opportunities for themselves and others, regardless of their circumstances.
President Tinubu also commended the unity and unwavering support demonstrated by Nigerians from all walks of life towards Onakoya’s g world stage.
“The President states Mr Onakoya has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and propel innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even from corners of disadvantage.
“The President affirms 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.
“President Tinubu commends the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour,” he said.
Onakoya, along with his United States counterpart Shawn Martinez, embarked on an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The National Chess Master began his attempt to break the world record in a marathon chess match on April 17, 2024, at New York City’s Times Square.
He noted that he attempts to raise funds and awareness about providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
At 12:34 am on Saturday, the Gift of Chess on X posted, “56 Hours Straight. The Record Is SET TO BREAK.”
The current record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds was set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway in November 2018.
