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Onakoya: I gave my dad my only car 13 years after he sold his taxi to pay for my exams

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Tunde Onakoya, the chess master, has revealed how his father sold his car to fund his education 13 years ago.

Onakoya recalled his humble beginnings in a recent post via X while celebrating his new feat as the ambassador for Nord Motion, the automobile company.

The chess champion disclosed that Onakoya Olugbenga, his dad, “sacrificed everything” and sold his taxi to pay his examination fees.

He said he would later compensate his father by gifting him his only car before traveling to the United States.

Onakoya also revealed that he was gifted a new car and made Nord’s ambassador after defeating Oluwatobi Ajayi, the firm’s CEO, in a chess match.

“Just before I traveled to America, I called my dad and gave him my only car. He had sold his taxi 13 years ago so I could pay for my WAEC and JAMB examination fees,” he wrote.

“The joy on his face brought tears — it was the least I could do for my parents who sacrificed everything so I could get an education.

“It wasn’t clear how I was going to get a new car without spending a fortune but I had faith. Yesterday, I got a call from @OluwatobiAjayiJ, the CEO of @nordmotion, inviting me to his office for a chat and a chess match.

“During our conversation, he proposed an outrageous deal: if I could beat him, I could choose any car in their showroom for free.

“Knowing he was a strong chess player from our previous game analyses (although we had never played before), I accepted the challenge. After about an hour of intense play, I managed to win from a very complex position.

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“This all still feels surreal, but I’m thrilled to announce that I am now a global brand ambassador for @nordmotion motors and the proud owner of a NORD A7 suv built and assembled in Nigeria.

“Life really isn’t scripted, and I’m super grateful to be able to use my gift to inspire the world and affect lives positively.”

Just before I traveled to America, I called my dad and gave him my only car. he had sold his taxi 13 years ago so I could pay for my WAEC and JAMB examination fees. The joy on his face brought tears- it was the least I could do for my parents who sacrificed everything so I could… pic.twitter.com/RpjdGB8Uzp

—Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) June 6, 2024

The ‘Chess In Slums Africa’ founder earlier revealed that his father worked as a bus conductor so they could feed and survive.

On April 17, Onakoya commenced his attempt to break the world record for the longest chess marathon.

He achieved the feat on April 20 at Times Square in New York City after playing for over 58 hours and winning every match.

He earlier disclosed that he grew up in the slums, adding that playing chess allowed him to discover his potential.

The chess master’s dad recently revealed that he had wanted his son to become a doctor.

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Full list of winners at Oscars 2025

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US actress Mikey Madison attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP)

Here are the winners in key categories for the 97th Academy Awards, which were handed out in Hollywood on Sunday.

“Anora” was the big winner of the night, with five Oscars: best picture, best director, best actress, best film editing and best original screenplay.

Full list of winners below:

Best picture: “Anora”

Best director: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”

Best actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”

Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

Best supporting actress: Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Perez”

Best original screenplay: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best adapted screenplay: Peter Straughan, “Conclave”

Best international feature film: “I’m Still Here” (Brazil)

Best animated feature: “Flow”

Best documentary feature: “No Other Land”

Best film editing: Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best costume design: Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”

Best production design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sanders, “Wicked”

Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Substance”

Best original song: Clement Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard, “El Mal” from “Emilia Perez”

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Burna Boy’s mother bags nomination for Best Manager at Music Week Awards

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Bose Ogulu, mother of Grammy winner and Nigerian singer Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards.

Organisers of the award on Wednesday announced Ogulu’s alongside other contenders for the highly coveted trophy.

This year’s Music Week Awards is scheduled to hold on May 8 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, United Kingdom.

Other nominees for the Manager of the Year, a category that highlights the best management talents in global music industry, include Alistair Goldsmith, Neil Hughes, and Wes Banton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Music Week Awards celebrates excellence in the music industry, including labels, A&R, live events, and management.

Winners for the annual award are selected through peer voting and an independent panel of judges.

NAN also reports that this is not the first time, Burna Boy’s mum is clinching international award, as she won the Manager Of The Year at the 2022 Artist & Manager Awards in London.

Ogulu, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign languages and a Masters of Arts in Translation from the University of Port Harcourt, is from a family deeply rooted in arts and culture.

She is the daughter of Nigerian music critic, Benson Idonije, who managed Fela Kuti, and she was also one of Fela’s background dancers.

She built a successful career as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and is proficient in English, French, German, Italian, and Yoruba.

Her role as manager is acclaimed to have played pivotal role in her son’s rise stardom on the global music stage, securing major deals and international recognition.

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Among other initiatives, she co-founded Spaceship Collective, supporting African artists and expanding the reach of Afrobeats worldwide.(NAN)

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Why I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives—Nollywood Star

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Funke Akindele, the Nigerian filmmaker, says despite being a feminist, she does not encourage women being disrespectful to their husbands.

A feminist is someone who advocates the political, economic, and social equality of women.

In a video addressing skit maker Kamo State and his wife, the filmmaker said she rejects the notion that women are the “weaker sex,” emphasising that they are “strong and bold”.

She urged men to treat women “specially” and not confine them to traditional roles of being in the kitchen.

She further stressed the importance of women’s economic power, advising them to secure financial independence to support their husbands.

“I’m a feminist but I do not support a woman disrespecting her husband. Do what is right,” she said.

“I believe that we are not the weaker sex or vessel. Men are suppose to treat us specially and respect us. Men should not also feel that a woman belongs to the kitchen and can be talked to anyhow.

“We women are strong, and bold. Also, our economic power is important that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect it so we can support our husbands.”

Akindele and producer Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello tied the knot in London in 2016 and welcomed a set of twin boys in 2018.

But in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced his separation from Akindele, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

The singer claimed he tried to address the situation but the matter is now “beyond repair.”

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