Entertainment
Onakoya: I gave my dad my only car 13 years after he sold his taxi to pay for my exams
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.
“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.
Afrobeat superstar Ayra Starr has earned the prestigious Platinum Certification in the United Kingdom for her hit single “Rush”, for surpassing 600,000 units in combined sales and streams.
The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) officially recognise “Rush” with a platinum plaque, making the “Sability” crooner first Nigerian female artist to achieve this remarkable feat in the UK.
The hit song marked Ayra Starr’s debut on the UK Official Top 100, cementing her growing status as one of the most sought-after African music artiste in recent times.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Grammy-nominated singer had earlier earned impressive accolades for ‘Rush’, including a Diamond Certification in France in 2023.
“Rush”was released in Sept, 2022, and quickly gained viral success, charting in the top ten across several countries such as France, Lebanon, and South Africa.
The track’s massive popularity also contributed to Ayra Starr’s first Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th annual Grammy Awards.
In addition to her recent UK achievement, “Rush” has also earned platinum status in Canada and New Zealand, and 3times Platinum in Nigeria, demonstrating its widespread acclaim and commercial success. (NAN)
Award-winning singer Tems has won the Best Recording of the Year award at the 17th Headies awards for her captivating single “Burning”.
The song, featured on her 18-track album “Born in the Wild”, showcases her exceptional artistry and musical prowess.
Tems was up against stiff competition, beating out fellow nominees Seyi Vibez, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr ft Giveon, Sarz, and Lojay.
The award, one of the most prestigious in Nigerian music, was announced and received by Tems’ mother.
Since its inception in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies has grown into the most respected music award platform in Nigeria, celebrating the country’s biggest talents year after year.
Award-winning Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido won the Best Digital Artiste of the Year at the 17th annual Headies Awards.
A well-deserved crown, considering his outstanding influence across streaming platforms and online spaces.
Davido’s collaborative track, “Ogechi Remix” with Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel, also received multiple nominations.
The Headies, which celebrates excellence in the Nigerian music industry, held its 17th edition on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
The event gathered some of the industry’s biggest stars in a night of high-profile performances and recognitions.
Other major winners included Zerry DL, Tems, Funke Akindele, and Rema.
Full list of winners:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL — Winner
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner
“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Best Recording of the Year
“Burning” – Tems — Winner
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“Billions” – Lojay — Winner
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Award Recipients
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Humanitarian Award Recipients
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Producer of the Year
“OZEBA” – London — Winner
“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
HEIS – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Headies Next Rated
Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)