Tunde Onakoya’s tale is one of perseverance, change, and meaning. Being raised in a tiny town, Tunde faced an early hardship when he was forced to leave school at the age of ten.
For years, Tunde remained at home as other kids left for school, uncertain of what lay ahead. However, fate had other plans, and a chessboard was part of them.
Tunde revealed this at the Go M.A.D. (Go Make A Difference) campaign launch, where he was introduced as the spokesperson for this revolutionary project. He said: “Chess taught me strategy, discipline, and gave me my own identity.”
Chess was a lifeline for Onakoya, not just a game. It demonstrated to him that even when life seems like an insurmountable riddle, the correct actions can lead to fresh opportunities. What started out as a personal quest for self-awareness quickly evolved into a desire to uplift others, especially kids in marginalised communities.
More than just teaching a game, Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative is giving kids a way to dream bigger than their current situation. He is giving them tools that go well beyond the chessboard by teaching them discipline and strategy; these tools will allow them to rewrite their own narratives.
BrandSpur Nigeria news reports that Onakoya stresses that becoming proficient in any skill is only the first step.
According to him: “The true impact lies in sharing that knowledge, creating opportunities, and taking bold steps to make a difference.”
A monument to the strength of starting small, dreaming large, and remaining strategic is Onakoya’s path from a local village to being a worldwide changemaker. His art perfectly captures the spirit of Go M.A.D., a movement that encourages Nigerians to take significant, daring actions in their communities and lives.
However, the possibilities are endless with their data. MTN provides you with the means to dream, act, and make the world a better place, whether that means sharing your story to motivate others, connecting with changemakers, or accessing resources to master a new skill.
