The one who wears big caps for little children, by Simbo Olorunfemi
“I must win. And if I don’t, I must show courage in my effort” – Tunde Onakoya
There is just no stopping Tunde Onakoya. From one accomplishment to the other, he keeps going, he keeps raising the bar, he keeps pushing, doing so much to lift the disadvantaged children from the slums/streets, using the game of Chess.
See what he has done for (with) Ferdinand. See how far he has taken Mary in only a few months. See how he has changed the life of the young man, Jamiu. See what he has done with other children, reduced to sleeping under bridges and life in the slum. See how he has inspired thousands of people around the world to do good and care for others in whatever way they can.
Late last month, he led 5 of the children, including Ferdinand who has cerebral palsy and Mary, from an Internally displaced Camp, to the US. After participating in a Chess Competition at which they won some awards, he led them to the United Nations, where he delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2025 United Nations Games.
It is amazing seeing what Tunde has done in only 7 years, buoyed by the belief that “it is possible to do great things from a small place” that he made what he considers to the most important decision of his life – to share his talent “as a gift to children who become victims of their parents poverty”.
See how far he has come. See what he has accomplished. A few hours back, Tunde began a second attempt at the Guinness World Record for the longest Chess Marathon. The current world record is 61 hours, set by two Norwegian players. Starting today, he, along with the kids who will show up for a few hours, will be attempting to break the record and set a new one for 70 hours. The dream, he says, “is to inspire the world, and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria”.
I pray for the man with the big cap to succeed at this venture. He wears big caps for the children and himself, he says, “so the world may see them in all their colors, not for the suffering they bear, but for what I know they can truly become.”
Tunde has big dreams. And he is not intimidated about how big they are.
“I am going to build the biggest Chess academy in the world and it’s going to be a safe haven for under-privileged children and orphans to get quality education and a chance to pursue their dreams. Tuition free.”
Time and again, Tunde has proven that
“It is possible to do great things from a small place”. Wishing him well with this new adventure. Looking forward to celebrating this great Nigerian in another 3 days.
