Tunde Onakoya is a Nigerian chess genius who recently made Nigeria and Africa proud by breaking the previous and setting a new Guiness world record for the longest marathon chess game.
In addition to being a chess coach, he strives to promote chess through different intervention programs across Nigeria and Africa.
Chess in slums Africa is a brainchild of Tunde Onakoya which aims to empower less privileged young people through chess. Chess clubs, tournaments, coaching and mentoring and scholarships are some of it's initiatives.
Tunde Onakoya is a wonderful beacon who has inspired (and still inspires) lots. His life and work have impacted many, and his story shows that adversity is not insurmountable, and that hard work is rewarding.
Tunde Onakoya is the perfect model for a street child's paradigm for hope in many ways.
His inspiring story of how he used chess as an empowerment tool, helping street children build confidence and self-esteem, showing them that they matter and can be anything they want to be, with focus. It gives them an outlet for their energy and gives them a positive interest to focus on.
It is also fact that chess improved analytical and critical thinking skills, which is something Tunde is equipping them with, leveraging chess to give a purpose, an avenue away from vices, something to look forward to.
His initiatives, with which he offers access to education, mentorship and guidance, coaching, sponsorship and so much more for these children. He knows the challenges, he has faced them, and he embodies hope and possibility for those with similar stories, hope that a brighter future is possible and attainable.
And finally, stereotypes. Tunde Onakoya challenges stereotypes about street children and what they are always believed to be and end up as. Tunde Onakoya has redefined what is and what can be possible for children from less privileged backgrounds, he has challenged assumptions that slum children cannot amount to anything except teenage parents and garage workers, he has become a role model for these children, showing them that their background does not mean anything with determination and the right kind of support, and with his work, he is creating a "for-all" environment, where background does not matter, and "street children" are just like every other kids out there.
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