The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described the achievement of Tunde Onakoya, the new world chess record holder, as typical of the audacity of Nigeria’s spirit of determination, hard work and resilience.
Akpabio stated this in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh and released on Sunday in Abuja to celebrate Onakoya for setting a new world chess record and etching the country on the world map.
“My joy knows no bounds as I celebrate this young and adroit Nigerian, Tunde Onakoya, who is imbued with the Nigerian spirit of determination, hard work and resilience and has elevated our dear country in the comity of nations.
“On behalf of the Senate and the Nigerian National Assembly, my constituents in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and my family, I heartily congratulate and rejoice with Tunde Onakoya on this onerous achievement.
“I followed closely while the competition was on and I must commend the brand-new world champion, Tunde, for remaining steadfast despite the challenges he had during the journey.
“I am happy that the dream behind this laudable project is to raise funds for indigent African children to also explore the opportunities that abound in the game of chess. This is a good way of grooming other champions and taking many children off the streets.
“I wish to use this opportunity to advise Nigerians, especially the youth, to borrow a leaf from our latest hero—never to give up when they embark on a legitimate enterprise, no matter the obstacles. With youth like Tunde, Nigeria has greater hope to attain her potential,” the Senate President stressed.
It would be recalled that the renowned Nigerian chess master and child education advocate set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess at the New York City’s Times Square on Saturday.
Onakoya, 29, embarked on his marathon session hoping to raise $1million to support education for children across Africa through his Chess in Slums Africa, the charity he founded in 2018, for underprivileged children’s education across the continent.
He played chess for 60 hours, from Wednesday, April 17 to Saturday 20, surpassing the current chess marathon record of 56 hours, nine minutes and 37 seconds, achieved in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad.
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