Nigerian chess champion, Tunde Onakoya, has revealed how he transformed Jamiu, a roadside mechanic in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos into a world-class chess champion currently taking part in a competition in the United States.
Jamiu just won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, ahead of 200+ USCF-rated players, and earned a $500 scholarship.
Onakoya, known for using chess to empower underprivileged children, shared a touching story of how he adopted two brothers, Jamiu and Ayomide and transformed their lives.
Both of them are currently in the United States. Jamiu is now a world class chess champion while his brother Ayomide Ayomide is a track and field star in his final secondary school education year.
“Today, my heart is overwhelmed with a joy words can barely hold. I think the time is finally right to share this story,” Onakoya said, as he shared the emotional story of how he adopted the two brothers who were at the time raised by a disabled single mother who later died.
The woman and her children were abandoned by their father as soon as Jamie was born. The woman later lost her leg in an accident while scavenging for plastic bottles to feed her children.
“In 2018, I met Jamiu. He was a curious kid, brilliant and full of light. At the time, he was working as a roadside mechanic… I invited him and his brother Ayomide to our weekend chess academy,” he wrote on his Instagram handle on Monday.
Onakoya said he grew close to the boys and decided to visit their family, adding that there, he met their mother, a kind woman who had lost her leg in an accident while scavenging for plastic bottles to feed her children.
“That’s my mum, he said,” Onakoya recalled. “She was never taken to the hospital as there was no money to sort the medical bills. Her husband had abandoned her as soon as Jamiu was born, so they never met their father.”
In 2019, their mother fell critically ill, according to the chess master.
Onakoya said she made a heartfelt request, “She cried and asked me to take care of her boys if anything happened to her.
“Two weeks later, she died.
“That day, I became a father. They moved in with me. We got them back in school. Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his university education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star, is in his final secondary school year,” he said.
Now, seven years later, Jamiu has achieved a major milestone.
Onakoya disclosed that Jamiu won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, beating over 200 USCF-rated players and securing a $500 scholarship.
Here is Onakoya’s emotional story:
Nigerian chess champion, Tunde Onakoya, reveals how he transformed Jamiu, a roadside mechanic in Lagos into a world-class chess champion.
“Today, my heart is overwhelmed with a joy words can barely hold. I think the time is finally right to share this story…
In 2018, I met Jamiu. He was a curious kid, brilliant and full of light. At the time, he was working as a roadside mechanic in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu. I invited him and his brother Ayomide to our weekend chess academy. I immediately grew very fond of them as they were very talented and of great character as well.
When I asked to meet their parents, he led me to a tiny shed and hugged a woman with the kindest smile. “That’s my mum” he said.
I noticed her leg was amputated. She had lost her right leg in a tragic accident: while scavenging for plastic bottles at a dump site to feed her children, an excavator ran over her. She was never taken to the hospital as there was no money to sort the medical bills. Her Husband had abandoned her as soon as Jamiu was born so they never got to meet their father.
That day, I made a quiet vow to never leave them behind.
In 2019, their mum fell critically ill. I held her hand as she cried and asked me to take care of her boys if anything happened to her. I reassured her that she was going to remain alive to see her boys excel. It was a promise I couldn’t keep…
Two weeks later, she passed.
That day, I became a father.
They moved in with me. We got them back in school. Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his University education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star in his final secondary school education year. My heart is full, I’m glad I got to be a part of their story.
Today, 7 years later… we’re together in America and Jamiu just won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, ahead of 200+ USCF-rated players, and earned a $500 scholarship.
I know your Mum watches you from heaven with a smile ️ Your dreams are boundless Jamiu.
Continue to Dare greatly and show the world what you’re truly made of. I fought back tears today because I am immensely proud of you.
Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.”
– Tunde Onakoya
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