In a heartwarming celebration of intellect, culture, and youth empowerment, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has honoured Tunde Onakoya, Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, at an event hosted in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
According to a statement by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, the occasion was part of an initiative called “The King’s Move”, co-organised with the Hopes Alive Initiative, a non-governmental organisation led by Queen Temitope Ogunwusi.
The highlight of the event was an inter-school chess competition featuring 14 students from secondary schools across Ile-Ife. The students engaged in an interactive chess session with Onakoya, who recently made global headlines for breaking the Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon.
Speaking at the event, the Ooni praised Onakoya’s grassroots efforts, commending him for using chess to reshape narratives and uplift children from underserved communities.
“Your work shows how a simple game can change lives. You are an inspiration to our youth,” the monarch said.
In a gesture of royal generosity, the Ooni awarded a total of ₦1.6 million, broken down as follows: ₦500,000 to be shared among all participating students; ₦100,000 to the overall winner, Toyosi Samuel of Eleve Academy, Oranfe, ₦1 million to be shared among the teachers who accompanied their students.
Onakoya, deeply moved by the occasion, expressed his gratitude to the Ooni and Queen Temitope, thanking them for embracing his vision.
“This is more than an honour. It’s a call to keep going,” he said.
Toyosi Samuel, the winner of the tournament, described the opportunity to play with Onakoya as “an unforgettable experience.”
The event concluded with a symbolic presentation—a specially crafted artwork gifted to Onakoya by the Ooni, recognising his contributions to education and youth development through chess.
This grand moment further cements Onakoya’s legacy not just as a chess maestro, but also as a national symbol of hope and transformation through intellectual engagement.
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