Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Mr. Tunde Onakoya, the National Master of Chess and the current Guinness World Record Holder for the longest Chess Marathon in history, the Sports Ambassador of the State.
Governor Abiodun, who made this known on Thursday when he received Mr. Onakoya in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also announced the commencement of the State Chess Competition to be held in all parts of the state in honour of Mr. Onakoya.
Abiodun, who was impressed with the achievement of the National Chess Master at the global stage, said this could not have been possible without determination and resilience and hard work.
“I can see why you continue to be inspiration to many young people across the length and breath of this country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are determined to tell your story and encourage other children and get them out of the slums and give them hope and future.
“Today, we will be officially appointing you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival in the next nine months or thereabouts and we are boasting that we are set to host the best National Sports Festival that has never been held in the history of this country and coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will feature in that event.
“I have decided that because of you and in your honour, we will begin an Ogun State Chess Competition across the length and breath of the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to design that competition from the local government all the way to the state level.
“But we as your state, we will have a sponsor in the Tunde Onakoya Prize, for the winner of that competition,” the governor explained.
The governor likened the travails of the Chess Master to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives, stating that his achievements in the face of difficulties is a testimony that life does not recognize where one comes from, place of birth or parent’s status in the society.
He commended the longest Chess Marathon holder in the world, for his resolve to succeed without engaging in dubious activities, noting that with the feat, he has joined the league of illustrious sons and daughters who have done Ogun State proud in their chosen endeavours.
Mr. Onakoya had earlier told the governor of his immense gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians in his march to stardom, adding that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.
He also recalled his challenges while growing up, nothing that he saw chess as a way out of poverty and ability to think critically beyond the surface.
Onakoya acknowledged the unpopularity of chess in the country, attributing it to lack of understanding of the value of the game.
He said he has intensify efforts in making the game popular in Lagos, Kenya and other parts of Africa, saying he and his team are trying to bring the game to the grassroots in collaboration with Lufthansa Airlines.
Onakoya said he was determined to break the world record as it was said that no human had played the game beyond 56 hours, but he did it in 60 hours.
He thanked governor Abiodun for the honour done to him and his parents, pledging to work with the government to make the game attractive to the youths.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian and from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, I felt highly honoured and happy in the way Nigerians all over the world supported me immensely to achieve this feats and the honour accorded me by our royal fathers and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, my state Governor,” Onakoya said.

In a momentous occasion set to mark a significant leap in educational infrastructure and development, Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School in Oye-Ekiti is gearing up to inaugurate its long-awaited Science Laboratory Building on May 4th, 2024. The Ceremony will be graced by the esteemed presence of Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who will also be spearheading the launch of a N500 million development fund aimed at bolstering the School’s advancement initiatives.
The Science Laboratory, a cornerstone of academic excellence, was originally constructed nearly five decades ago to cater to the fundamental sciences of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. However, due to neglect and lack of proper maintenance, the building languished in disrepair, rendering it unusable for educational purposes.
Recognizing the dire need to revitalize their Alma Mater, the Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School Old Students’ Association embarked on a commendable journey to breathe new life into the dilapidated structure. Commencing reconstruction efforts approximately two years ago, the association invested a substantial sum of N50 million towards the refurbishment project. Despite these commendable efforts, the crucial aspect of procuring laboratory equipment, estimated at N30 million, remained a hurdle due to financial constraints.
The genesis of this transformative endeavor traces back to 2022 when a Visitation Panel, commissioned by the Old Students’ Association, shed light on the deplorable state of the Laboratory Building. Dr. Vincent Idowu Bamigboye, the Worldwide President of the Association, underscored the pivotal role of alumni contributions in driving the school’s progress over the past two decades. In a poignant statement, Dr. Bamigboye expressed gratitude to the generous benefactors who have continually supported the school’s endeavors, propelling it towards excellence.
The forthcoming commissioning ceremony will not only mark the culmination of arduous efforts but also herald a new era of academic enrichment and innovation. Dr. Bamigboye unveiled a grand vision for the School’s future, emphasizing the imperative of nurturing creative thinkers and fostering a conducive learning environment. As preparations for the School’s 50th anniversary loom on the horizon, plans are underway to institute a “Golden Anniversary and Beyond Committee” tasked with charting a comprehensive 10-year Development Roadmap.
Among the distinguished dignitaries set to grace the occasion are Dr. (Mrs) Kofoworola Aderiye, Commissioner for Education, Ekiti State; Otunba Babatunde Fajemirokun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AIICO Insurance PLC, who will serve as Guests of Honour. The event will be hosted by Honourable Oluwaseun Fakuade Commissioner for Innovation Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, and Honourable Adesola Gold Adedayo, Commissioner for Youth Development, Ekiti State, serving as Chief Hosts. The Chairman of the Occasion is the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
Adding Regal splendour to the affair, the Royal Fathers of the Day include the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Oluwole Adugbole 111; the Olora of Ora-Ekiti, Oba Peteru Ojo Daramola; and the Regent of Imojo Ekiti, Her Royal Majesty, Princess Mercy Ayomide Olatunji.
As anticipation builds and preparations reach a crescendo, Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School stands poised to reclaim its position as a beacon of educational excellence, embarking on a journey of rejuvenation and progress.

A man has set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where former U.S. President, Donald Trump is facing trial in the hush-money case.

Reuters reports that the man did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

It was reported that the man burnt for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president was being held.

“He was on fire for quite a while,” one witness, who declined to give his name, told reporters. “It was pretty horrifying.”

Officials said the man, who is in his late 30s, survived and was in critical condition at a hospital.

The man was said to have pulled pamphlets out of a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire.

One of those pamphlets included references to “evil billionaires” but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.

In a news conference, investigators said they had received a 911 emergency call at around 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT) telling them that a man had lit himself on fire.

They identified him as Maxwell Azzarello, who had arrived in New York from his home in Florida sometime in the past week.

He has no criminal record in New York, and his family in Florida were unaware that he had travelled to the city, the BBC reports.

New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said Azzarello was seen “shuffling around” in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.

The pamphlets were “propaganda-based”, said Chief Maddrey, adding that they were regarding a “conspiracy theory”. The fuel appears to be an alcohol-based cleaning product.

There was a massive police presence outside the courthouse because of the trial, and officers quickly ran into the park shouting for a fire extinguisher.

Azzarello was carried away on a stretcher, his body very badly burned. The police said he was taken to a hospital burn centre in critical condition.