While we sleep comfortably, the streets are heaving with people trying to make a living. Some are living on less than a dollar a day, such is the story of Africa, the world is not as it seems. An incredible gentleman from Nigeria is changing the narrative, his story is heart-warming and the stories he shares are heart-breaking. Babatunde Onakoya holds a record in chase in Nigeria, he took his abilities to the streets and the whole story is shifted from chase being a game to a life-serving and educating tool for the children and adults alike in Nigeria. In today’s Africa, the mention of “Chess” often conjures notions of intelligence and wealth. However, Chess in Slums is rewriting this script by extending the gift of chess to marginalised communities.
Babatunde, also known as Tunde, established “Chess in Slums,” a venture that seeks to rewrite stereotypes associated with chess in today’s Africa. Far from being just a game of intellect and privilege, Chess in Slums is revolutionising the script by bringing the gift of chess to marginalised communities. Tunde embarked on this journey in 2018 with a mission to impact the lives of one million children in slums over the next five years, using chess as a central catalyst.
Born into economic adversity, Tunde discovered solace and an escape through chess. His personal journey ignited a belief that impoverished children could also find hope and envision a brighter future through the transformative power of the game. Chess in Slums is driven by the conviction that every child deserves an equal opportunity to achieve a better life. Guided by this principle, they employ an innovative approach that utilises chess to empower children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with academic, educational, and critical thinking skills crucial for securing a more promising tomorrow.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria hosts one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children. Despite primary education being officially free and compulsory, approximately 10.5 million children aged 5-14 in the country are not enrolled. The Harmonised Nigeria Living Standard Survey (HNLSS) further reveals that 70% of Nigerian children experience poverty, with 23% classified under extreme poverty.
In the face of this adversity, the Chess National Master dedicated his life to teaching a game he first encountered in one of Nigeria’s harshest neighbourhoods. Reflecting on his journey, Tunde expressed, “Chess took me off the streets because I represented my college, I didn’t have to pay tuition, it gave me a lot of opportunities.” Even during challenging times, Tunde returned to the floating slum of Majidun, his former home, and found solace in introducing chess to the children there.
Why chess, one might ask? “Chess is sometimes perceived to be for the elite. But I wanted people to start seeing that even a child poor, hungry, and tattered from the slums could master the game of chess and master all its intricacies, a game that is prestigious and respected all over the world.” Says Tunde.
His vision transcends chess; it aims to change perceptions and affirm the intellectual capacity of every child, regardless of their background. In the words of Tunde, “Gens una sumus,” Latin for “We are one people,” encapsulates the essence of his mission. Tunde is not just changing lives; he is an extraordinary individual giving back to marginalised communities.
