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Growing up in Eko Lagos, one would think that Tunde had a comfortable start to life. However, this was the opposite. His father, a spare parts seller, and his mother who was a petty trader tried their best to cater for their children. The family lived in a slum community called Isale Odo in Ikorodu, and it was at this place that they all faced some serious life challenges. Tunde’s secondary education was delayed for some time because his parents could not afford to pay the fees at the time. It was during his stay at home that he discovered Chess at his favourite barber’s shop. He became obsessed with the game and would often spend time at the barbershop watching the adults play so well. Eventually, he got enrolled in a private school that had an active chess club. It was at school that he perfected his skills and when a chess tournament was organized by that same school, he came third. This first win boosted his self-esteem. For his tertiary education, he attended Yaba College of Technology where he studied Computer Science. At YabaTech, he joined a chess group and represented the school at the Nigerian Polytechnic Games Association tournament, becoming a double gold medalist, and going on to win the gold medal at the RCCG chess championship. He also won the National Friends of Chess, Chevron chess open, and was ranked the 13th best player in chess in Nigeria. With his winnings from the chess tournaments he played, he was able to cater for his needs. Indeed, chess changed Onakoya’s life in marvellous ways.
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After school, Tunde had the idea to begin a project to help children who grew up in the kind of neighbourhood he did learn about chess. Although he had little money to fund the project, he was optimistic and sought the help of his friends to make the dream a reality. When he was sure of the ways chess could help a community, he found a place, gathered some of the children, fed them, and together with his friends, taught them chess. It was not easy funding the project. But when he posted about the movement on Twitter, people began to donate to the cause. Soon, they raised enough money and they were featured by BBN, CNN, Al Jazeera, and so on. Chess in Slums was formed in 2018. So far, they have impacted the lives of hundreds of children, with some of them getting lifelong scholarships. From slums to slums, Tunde Onakoya and his friends have brought happiness to the faces of many people. In 2021, Ferdinand Maumo, a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and a speech impediment was declared the 2021 chess champion of a tournament organized by Chess in Slums. A few days later, the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu invited the champion for a game of Chess. After Ferdinand, an 18-year-old bus conductor, Fawaz Adeoye, won another tournament with a 2 million Naira prize. Their story broke the internet and made Chess in Slum famous in Lagos. Tunde Onakoya, known previously as the little boy from the slums of Isale Odo in Ikorodu, is currently touching the lives of people with his tea. Follow him on LinkedIn and on Twitter @Tunde_OD. Featured Image Source: Daily Sabah
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