Tunde Onakoya, a renowned Nigerian chess player and coach who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, has commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for creating a supportive environment for girls to develop their skills. Onakoya made these remarks during his visit to the UNFPA center at Muna Displaced Persons Camp in Maiduguri, where he engaged with girls participating in chess activities.
Onakoya’s visit to Borno State was part of his “Chess in Slums in Africa” project, which aims to bring chess to underserved children, particularly those in Lagos slums. He expressed his admiration for the UNFPA’s efforts in providing educational and skill-building opportunities to the girls, emphasizing that such initiatives would help enhance their intellectual abilities.
During his time at the center, Onakoya conducted chess training sessions with the girls, praising their eagerness to learn and encouraging them to remain dedicated to the game in order to achieve excellence. He also met with the parents of some of the girls, urging them to continue supporting their children’s ambitions by taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by the UNFPA center.
Ms. Deborah Iliya, the personnel in charge of the center, welcomed Onakoya and explained that the facility was established to offer a safe space for women and girls affected by the insurgency. The center provides access to healthcare services, psychosocial support, and skills acquisition programs that have empowered many women and girls in the camp.
Iliya expressed her gratitude to Onakoya for his visit and for inspiring the girls through chess, calling on other stakeholders to support the center, particularly by purchasing the products made by the girls. The girls themselves shared that playing chess has helped sharpen their thinking and is aiding in their healing and recovery from the traumatic experiences they have endured due to the insurgency.
