Some children chess players at Shuwari/Bolori camp celebrating the coming of Onakoya
Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess player and coach who holds Guinness World Records for the longest marathon chess game has arrived Maiduguri to promote the game among youths.
Onakoya, who is the founder and convener of “Chess in Slums in Africa” that is providing interventions for children in Lagos slums, arrived Maiduguri on Friday for engagements with young players and stakeholders in the game.
On arrival, the Chess Master visited children of Internally displaced persons in Muna and Bolori camps that are trained in chess game by members of the 105 Composite Group of the Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Mess Club.
Onakoya, who had an interactive sessions and played some chess game with the male and female children in the camps, lauded them for their commitment and zeal in the game.
He urged them to sustain the tempo, adding that the game would not only sharpen their talents but take them to places just like him.
Onakoya narrated his story as someone from poor background like them, and how he started learning the game when he was 10 years old.
He also addressed parents of the children who he urged to support their children to excel.
Many of the children who spoke, particularly girls who experienced trauma due to the insurgency, said the game has been helpful in their healing and recovery process.
Onakoya and his team also paid courtesy call on the Commander of 105 Composite Group of Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Air Comodore C.O Olayera, where he reiterated his commitment to contribute in building the youths in partnership with other stakeholders like NAF.
Onakoya who spoke on his wonderful experience of coming to Borno for the first time and the warm reception accorded him, said many people in Lagos were shocked when he told them that he was coming to Maiduguri because of the insurgency.
He however, said that his decision to come and meet the calm situation in Maiduguri shows the need not to listen to one side of a story.
He lauded the NAF and other sister organisations for their active contribution in bringing relative peace being enjoyed in Borno.
In his respond, the Commander of 105 Composite Group, Air Commodore C.O Olayera, lauded the Chess Master for his interventions aimed at supporting the vulnerable children explore their talents and potentials.
Olayera, who is the Patron of the NAF Mess Chess Club, assured his commitment to collaborate with the chess master and other stakeholders in supporting youths, particularly vulnerable children in getting education, nurturing and mentoring to excel and contribute to the society as part of social responsibility to host the community.
He also spoke on role of the composite group in the use of kenetic and non kenetic approaches in the fight against insurgency and the return of peace and normalcy in North East.
