Tunde Onakoya's father, reflecting on his son's journey to becoming Nigeria's chess master and founder of the Chess in Slum Africa initiative, expressed surprise at how chess transformed his son's life.
Recalling how he used to discourage Tunde from playing chess in favor of focusing on school, he now acknowledges the impact the game has had on his son's popularity and success. Tunde recently achieved the Guinness World Record for the longest time playing chess.
Nigerians reacted to this revelation, with many sharing similar experiences of parental discouragement from pursuing unconventional talents and passions.
Some lamented the lost opportunities and potential stifled by traditional parental expectations, while others emphasized the importance of nurturing and supporting children's interests and talents from a young age
