Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his university education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star in his final secondary school education year. My heart is full, I’m glad I got to be a part of their story.
Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.
Today, 7 years later… we’re together in America and Jamiu just won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, ahead of 200+ USCF-rated players, and earned a $500 scholarship
TODAY, my heart is overwhelmed with a joy words can barely hold. I think the time is finally right to share this story…
In 2018, I met Jamiu. He was a curious kid, brilliant and full of light. At the time, he was working as a roadside mechanic in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu. I invited him and his brother Ayomide to our weekend chess academy. I immediately grew very fond of them as they were very talented and of great character as well.
When I asked to meet their parents, he led me to a tiny shed and hugged a woman with the kindest smile—“That’s my mum,” he said.
I noticed her leg was amputated. She had lost her right leg in a tragic accident — while scavenging for plastic bottles at a dump site to feed her children, an excavator ran over her. She was never taken to the hospital as there was no money to sort the medical bills. Her husband had abandoned her as soon as Jamiu was born, so they never got to meet their father.
That day, I made a quiet vow to never leave them behind.
In 2019, their mum fell critically ill. I held her hand as she cried and asked me to take care of her boys if anything happened to her. I reassured her that she was going to remain alive to see her boys excel. It was a promise I couldn’t keep…
Two weeks later, she passed.
That day, I became a father.
They moved in with me. We got them back in school. Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his university education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star in his final secondary school education year. My heart is full, I’m glad I got to be a part of their story.
TODAY, 7 years later… we’re together in America and Jamiu just won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, ahead of 200+ USCF-rated players, and earned a $500 scholarship.
I know your Mum watches you from heaven with a smile Your dreams are boundless Jamiu.
Continue to dare greatly and show the world what you’re truly made of. I fought back tears today because I am immensely proud of you.
Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.
-Tunde Onakoya,
Founder at Chess in Slums Initiative.
https://web.facebook.com/tunde.onakoya1
