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‘Lagos is rooting for you’ — Sanwo-Olu backs chess master Onakoya to break world record

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, has offered moral support to Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, who is attempting to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya commenced the exercise on Wednesday at Times Square, New York City, US.

The chess expert aims to play different games for 58 hours without losing a single game. He is only allowed five-minute breaks every hour during the course of the attempt.

In a statement via X, Sanwo-Olu commended Onakoya for “taking a bold move to redefine possibilities” as he targets the GWR record.

The governor also described Onakoya’s ‘Chess in Slum Africa’ initiative as evidence that “greatness can emerge from anywhere”.

“Every grand victory starts with a single, bold move akin to a daring gambit—a bold move to redefine possibilities,” he wrote.

“@Tunde_OD; Lagos is rooting for you as you attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon at Times Square in the heart of New York.

“Taking the story of the phenomenal work you started in Lagos with young children to a global stage is a powerful testament to how greatness can emerge from anywhere.”

On his part, Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice-president, in an Instagram post, urged Onakoya to “show the world the strength and determination you’re made of”.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar, another former vice-president, wrote: “Dear @Tunde_OD, I join millions of Nigerians at home and abroad in wishing you the best in your quest to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Chess Marathon. Your can-do spirit thus far has been truly inspirational. I am rooting for you to break new ground. -AA”.

The longest chess marathon stands at 56 hr 09 min 37 seconds.

Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, two Norwegians, set the record on November 11, 2018.

Announcing the attempt, Onakoya said he hopes to empower illiterate children across Africa through the feat.

“Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education. You guys have been rock solid for me through the years,” he said.

“So I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds.”

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Gunmen abduct singer Gnewzy in Delta, demand $200k ransom

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Goodnews Emuemu, the fast-rising Nigerian singer better known as Gnewzy, has been kidnapped in Delta state.

In a video shared on his Instagram page, a voice can be heard alleging that the abductors were dressed in police uniform.

“They just kidnapped Gnewzy. God. Omo na police kidnap Gnewzy,” the individual said.

The singer was said to have been abducted along Eklat road in Ughelli while heading home from a show on Monday morning.

Eric Many Records, the artiste’s music label, also confirmed the abduction.

“It is with deep concern and grave distress that Eric Many Records announces the unfortunate incident involving our artist Gnewzy,” a statement by Adedayo Showemimo, its projector coordinator, reads.

“In the early hours of Monday, 29th April, Gnewzy was kidnapped in Ughelli, Delta State. His manager, Obas9ice, narrowly escaped the same ordeal on Eklat road in Ughelli.”

The abductors were said to have contacted Dilly Umenyiora, the record label’s CEO, via mail demanding a $200,000 ransom.

Confirming the abduction to newsmen on Monday, Bright Edafe, the Delta police spokesperson, said the law enforcement agency is investigating the matter.

The police spokesperson said the command is working to determine if there are any hidden motives behind the abduction.

“We are investigating. You know sometimes you may not know what transpired that led to that. We are looking into it to see if there are any underlying issue that could have led to it for now,” Edafe said.

“It was reported the fast rising singer was abducted.”

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Jay-Z’s daughter Blue Ivy makes film debut in ‘Lion King’ prequel

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Blue Ivy Carter, the eldest daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has made her voice acting debut in the highly anticipated Disney prequel, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.

In the trailer released on Monday, the 12-year-old lends her voice to Kiara, the lion cub of King Simba and Queen Nala, played by Beyoncé, her mother, and Donald Glover, the US actor.

The prequel dives into the past, exploring the story of Mufasa, Simba’s father, before the events of the 2019 live-action remake.

Rafiki voiced by John Kani, the South African actor, guides young Kiara through the tale, while Barry Jenkins, Oscar Award-winning filmmaker, is the prequel’s director.

Speaking about Blue Ivy’s casting in an interview, Jenkins said he initially had doubts about featuring Beyoncé and her daughter, stating that their enthusiasm quickly dispelled his concerns.

He said the timing of the project coincided with Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, which he described as a period of immense growth for Blue Ivy.

He said sharing her growth in the movie would be “beautiful”.

“Starting this project, I was like, ‘would Blue Ivy want to do it? Would Beyoncé want to act opposite her daughter? But once we put the question to them, they both responded with enthusiasm,” he said.

“What is crazy is we made the film, and then the Renaissance tour happened, and I think Blue really grew up over the course of that tour.

“So the Blue Ivy you see in this film is like a time capsule. So, I thought there was some synergy. It could be beautiful.”

‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ is set to be in theatres in December.

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Dunamis ‘celebrity’ testifier, Vera Anyim apologises for seeking accommodation help

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Vera Anyim, the lady who became famous following the controversy that trailed her recent testimony at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, has tendered a public apology after asking Nigerians for support to secure accommodation.

Nigerians knocked Anyim for seeking support to secure accommodation.

In a video that became viral last Thursday, Anyim who described herself as a celebrity., called on Nigerians to help her secure a new accommodation.

Reacting to her call for help, several Nigerians expressed shock at her request.

Following the backlash, Anyim has tendered a public apology, explaining that everything happened so fast and she was trying to protect herself.

“I’m sorry for seeking public support regarding my accommodation it was because I wasn’t feeling safe and the fear of being kidnapped because everyone around thought I was given plenty money from Port Harcourt and this whole thing I wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t force anyone, please forgive me,” she wrote on Facebook.

Recall that before this, the Senior Pastor of the church, Paul Enenche, interrupted Vera’s testimony of being a law graduate of the Open University of Nigeria in a viral video on social media.

Enenche tagged her testimony as a lie. This, however, did not sit well with Nigerians who demanded an apology from the pastor.

The church, however, apologised to Anyim after the public backlash.

Anyim was offered a sponsored vacation at Portland Resorts Hotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

However, on her return, she claimed that her residence was no longer safe.

“I want to say to Nigerians, you know this thing that happened is a thing of joy, I never dreamed of it, it came this moment, I never dreamed of being a celebrity.

“It just came all of a sudden. I never prepared for it. I want to use this medium to urge us to assist me with accommodation because I am not buoyant now to rent a house. Where I am staying now is risky and insecure. It is a very open place and everybody already knows I am a celebrity.

“When I left Abuja, some people in my compound didn’t know what was happening, but I was there, and so many of them heard what was going on. Some have said they are waiting for me. My brother, who stays with me, told me that people gathered, all waiting for me,” she stressed.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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