Nigerian professional chess player Tunde Onokoya, has cleared the air on his presidential visit which many have speculated was for personal gains.
The founder of Chess in Slums Africa, took to his X handle on Wednesday to state that his visit was targeted towards youth empowerment and not for politics.
“I’ll say a few things. The anger, the hate, the love, the applause, the criticism – all of it is valid and I embrace it. I am a world record holder. Which means I have attained something no one else in the world has ever done. I was recently honoured and awarded by the City of New York. To be honoured and received by the President and the highest office in my own country. For this reason, is not a crime. (It is not even a national honour, by the way). I have declined many awards. Comparing me to people who have received awards and recognition from countries that have committed war crimes is, at best, laughable,” he wrote.
Tunde also emphasized that he has no interest in politics while addressing claims that his foundation only exists due to bad governance.
“I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do. If that ever changes, then I would resign my role as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa. The rhetoric that Chess in Slums only exists or is relevant because of bad governance is not accurate. The real impact of our work is in the synapses. We’re using chess as a tool to teach cognition and improve academic outcomes. Using it as a social intervention tool is because those children have fallen through the cracks and cannot make it to the classrooms. This is not charity or ‘NGO’,” he stated.
He also stated that while his intentions may not be clear yet, his character has stood the test of time.
“A visit is not an endorsement. I will visit many more people and will continue to sell my chess boards. You may not understand my intentions or character because the only thing you know about me is what I let on social media. But reputation is not character. It’s been ten long years of staying with this one thing. I know for a fact that I have earned the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
Tunde also announced that his foundation has been working with the Lagos State Government to better the lives of kids living on the street.
“We’ve been working with the Lagos State Government for about a year now to take kids from Jakande and Isale Eko off the streets. One of them recently graduated from furniture school and is living again. Our collective hurt is valid and we may disagree on politics, but there are actual lives at stake. We all have a role to play, in whatever capacity, to stop this haemorrhage. Yes, we will partner with the government to scale this impact and institutionalise it so Tunde stops being the hero of the story. It’s your tax, anyway,” he stated.
Making his stance clear, he reassured the people that his goal is to see a better Nigeria while reminding them that it is a collective responsibility.
“Finally, I’d say this: my fight is different. I’m not on the fence. I took a stand ten years ago for the country I want to see. The truth is, I will do many more things that may challenge your perception of me. But I know my heart is in the right place and whatever rooms my vision gives me access to. I will put the dreams and needs of the children first. I live for the audience of one, and that is enough,” Tunde wrote.
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