The Nigerian chess player and coach, Tunde Onakoya, who holds Guinness World Records for the longest marathon chess game has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, to promote the game among youths.

Mr Onakoya, who is the founder and convener of “Chess in slums in Africa” that is providing interventions for children in Lagos slums, arrived in Maiduguri on Friday.

On arrival, the chess master visited children of internally displaced persons in Muna and Bolori camps trained in chess games by members of the 105 Composite Group of the Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Mess Club.

Mr Onakoya, who had interactive sessions and played some chess games with the male and female children in the camps, lauded them for their commitment and zeal in the game.

Urging them to sustain the tempo, Mr Onakoya encouraged them that the game would not only sharpen their talents but would take them to places like him.

He narrated his story as someone from a poor background like them, and how he started learning the game when he was 10 years old.

Many of the children who spoke, particularly girls who experienced trauma due to insurgency, said the game had been helpful in their healing and recovery process.

Mr Onakoya and his team also paid a courtesy call on the Commander of 105 Composite Group of Nigeria Air Force, Maiduguri, Air Comodore C.O. Olayera.

The commander lauded him for the programme aimed at supporting the vulnerable children to explore their talents and potential.

Mr Olayera assured of the Air Force commitment to collaborate with stakeholders as part of its social responsibility in supporting vulnerable children to pursue education.

The collaboration, according to him, will also be a platform for nurturing and mentoring the children to excel in various fields and contribute to societal growth and development.

(NAN)