Nigerians in the city gave Tunde Onakoya tremendous support during his marathon at Times Square, New York, with many of them turning out to cheer him on.
A Nigerian chess champion, Tunde Onakoya has broken the world record for the longest chess marathon which started on Wednesday, hoping to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa through the record attempt.
At approximately 12:40 a.m. (04:40 GMT) on Saturday, he exceeded the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018 by playing the royal game for 60 hours, as opposed to the 58 hours he had planned to play.
Hilda Baci and Pelumi Nubi, two other record-breaking Nigerians, also took to his Instagram page to congratulate Onakoya as well as Afrobeat musician Davido who gave Onakoya a 30BG chain at the square.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh and released on Sunday in Abuja described Onakoya‘s achievement as typical of the audacity of Nigeria’s spirit of determination, hard work and resilience.
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He congratulated him for setting a new world chess record and etching the country on the world map.
Akpabio’s congratulatory message read, “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.”
