The new Guinness World record holder, Chess Master Tunde Onakoya was part of the dignitaries present at the 2024 edition of Ojude-Oba Ago-Iwoye cultural heritage that took place at the Palace of Oba Alaiyeluwa Abdul-Razaq Adeshina Adenugba, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-North Local Government, Ogun State on Tuesday 17th June 2024.
The annual event which attracts Ijebu sons and daughters globally is an epoch-making event with ‘Regbe-Regbes’ the (Age Grades) in different and colouful attire, not leaving out captivating horse riding and dance competition that depicts the essence of the cultural heritage.
The event not only boosts the local economy through the attraction of thousands of visitors, which in turn benefits businesses, artisans, and vendors but also serves as a symbol of unity, tourism, and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters in celebration of their tradition, culture and royalty.
The Ogun State Sports Ambassador who was accompanied by his parents and his team was officially welcomed to the cultural ground where he received a royal blessing from His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeshina Adenugba.
Undoubtedly, his presence at the cultural event will inspire young generations of sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye who may want to follow in his footsteps as far as the game of Chess is concerned. Tunde Onakoya through his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Chess in Slums Africa has been empowering and changing hundreds of young underprivileged kids by giving them the chance to go to school.
His passion for the game is part of his story and who he is today. Thanks to the game of Chess, Onakoya who came from a humble background, was able to get a tertiary education. He started playing chess in his pre-teens after learning the game at a barber shop by watching the patrons.
After that, he was said to have gotten a partial scholarship at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology where he studied Computer Science and also represented the University Club. He retired from playing Chess professionally after ranking 13th in Nigeria.
Currently, Chess in Slums Africa is sponsoring lifelong scholarships worth over $400,000 for more than 200 children in formal schools and each academy in Lagos. It plans to extend that to Burkina Faso and other African countries.
And in recognition of his humanitarian service to the underprivileged, Onakoya and his team were recently awarded The Future Awards for the Community Action Category.
#Guinness World record holder #Chess Master Tunde Onakoya #Oba Alaiyeluwa Abdul-Razaq Adeshina Adenugba #2024 edition of Ojude-Oba #Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye #Ago-Iwoye cultural heritage #Ogun State
