Nigeria chess champ and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, don share one touching story about two brothers wey him adopt after their mama die — and how one of dem, Jamiu, don turn chess champion for America.
Onakoya, wey dey known for using chess help poor children, talk say him first meet Jamiu and Ayomide for 2018, when dem still dey live for Majidun slum for Ikorodu, Lagos.
He write:
“For 2018, I meet Jamiu. He be sharp, smart pikin wey full of light. That time, he dey work as roadside mechanic… I invite am and him brother Ayomide come our weekend chess academy.”
As time go, Onakoya visit their house and meet their mama — one kind woman wey lose her leg for accident while she dey hustle for plastic bottles to feed her children.
Jamiu tell am, “Na my mama be that.”
Onakoya say dem no carry her go hospital that time because no money. Their papa don run since Jamiu born, so the boys no even know who he be.
For 2019, their mama health begin fall. Onakoya remember say she beg am with tears:
“She cry tell me say, ‘Abeg take care of my boys if anything happen to me.’”
Two weeks later, she die.
“That day, I become papa,” Onakoya talk. “Dem move in with me. We put dem back for school. Jamiu come become chess champion, and now he dey do university. I don watch am grow into better young man. Ayomide, him brother, na track and field star wey go soon finish secondary school.”
Now, seven years later, Jamiu don hit big win — he win the ICN Chess Championship for New York, beat over 200 rated players, and collect $500 scholarship.
Onakoya write:
“Today, joy full my heart pass wetin words fit carry. I hold back tears because I too proud of you. Mama Jamiu, your boys dey okay. I keep my promise. I go always keep am.”
