Popular chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has joined the league of Nigerians who recently won the Guinness World Record.

The 29-year-old Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in New York’s Times Square, when he reached the 57-hour mark, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes.

The previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, was held by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

Nigerian gourmet chef, Hilda Baci entered the Guinness World Record for longest cooking hours by an individual lat year.

The Guinness Book of Records is a reference book that chronicles human and natural world records.

It was first published in 1955 by the Guinness Brewery in Ireland and has since become one of the world’s most well-known and frequently read reference books.

Individuals or groups must submit proof to the Guinness World Records team and go through a verification process to qualify for a world record listing.

Below are a brief information about a list of Nigerians that have broken the Guinness World Records in recent times:

1. Hilda Baci in May 2023

Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, entered the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Hilda Baci made Nigerians proud on May 15, 2023, in the cook-a-thon held in Lagos, which was set to last for 93 hours and eleven minutes.

2. Divine Ikubor (Rema) in May 2023

Nigerian music star, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, made it to the Guinness World Book of Records. Rema’s hit song, ‘Calm Down’ made history as the first No. 1 Hit on The Official MENA Chart (the world’s first regional streaming chart).

3. Gbenga Ezekiel in October 2022

Ezekiel achieved the most skips in one minute on one leg (278), breaking his own record of 265, and the most double under skips in one minute on one leg (144), beating the previous record of 132, set by India’s Himanshu Prajapati in 2021.

4. Folashade Oluwafemiayo in August 2022

In 2021, Folashade Oluwafemiayo won the gold medal in her event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships held in Tbilisi, Georgia. At this event, she also set a new world record of 152.5 kg. She competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where she won a gold medal in the heavyweight event.

5. Chukwuebuka Ezugha and Victor Richard Kipo in March 2022

The most consecutive passes of a football (soccer ball) between the head and soles (team of two) is 252, achieved by Chukwuebuka Ezugha and Victor Richard Kipo (both Nigeria), in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, on 11 March 2022.

6. Vincent Okezie in March 2022

Vincent Okezie, on 3 March 2023, Master Okezie won his fifth GWR to become the current holder of the most football (soccer) ‘around the world’ tricks (71) with arms linked.

7. Bose Omolayo in December 2021

Bose Omolayo became the new Guinness World Record holder in 2021 when she made the heaviest para power lift by a female in the -79 kg category at 144 kg.

8. Chinonso Miracle Eche in October 2021

Chinonso Miracle Eze achieved the fastest time to 1,000 touches while balancing another ball on the head, and broke the Guinness World Records Holder for “Most Consecutive Football Touches In One Minute While Balancing a Ball On His Head.

9. Peter Aho in October 2021

Peter Aho became one of the bowlers from Nigeria to break the Guinness World Record after taking five wickets and a hat-trick in a T20i game and also holds the record for best bowling figures in T20is, claiming six wickets for five runs against Sierra Leone in 2021.

10. Bayo Omoboriowo in September 2021

Bayo Omoboriowo broke the Guinness World Record for creating The Largest Photo Book in 2021. The photo book, done in collaboration with The JT Agency and with the federal government’s support, is 60.84 square metres (654 square feet and 87 square inches) and was a recreation of a photo collection titled Discover Nigeria.

11. Tunde Onakoye in April 2024

Tunde Onakoya is the latest Nigerian to break the Guinness World Record after an unprecedented and uninterrupted 58-hour chess session, and reaching the 57-hour mark.

One of the most intelligent Nigerian scholars contributing to the tech inventions in the world is Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, for his credit with the development of microchips used in minimally invasive surgical robots.

Ndubuisi Ekekwe is the founder of First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics Ltd. He holds a United States Patent on a microchip used in minimally invasive surgical robots and was part of the team that created the XL sensor inside the iPhone and iPad.

According to Wikipedia, Ndubuisi Ekekwe invented and patented a robotic system which the United States Government acquired assignee rights.

He holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees including a PhD in engineering from Johns Hopkins University, USA. He earned an undergraduate degree from FUT Owerri where he graduated as his class best student.

While in Analog Devices Corp, he co-designed an accelerometer for the iPhone. A recipient of IGI Global “Book of the Year” award, a TED Fellow, IBM Global Entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Prof. Ekekwe has held professorships in Carnegie Mellon University and Babcock University, and served in the United States National Science Foundation Committee.

The South African press called him “a doctor of innovation” for helping organizations on the mechanics of business innovation, strategy, and growth. Since 2009, the Chairman of Fasmicro Group which controls many startups and entities has been writing in the Harvard Business Review.

He was recognised by The Guardian as one of 60 Nigerians Making “Nigerian Lives Matter” on Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day.

Born in 1975, Ndubuisi Ekekwe co-designed a generation accelerometer for the iPhone and created the company’s first wafer level chip scale package for inertial sensor.

He is a player in the US semiconductor industry where he develops innovative microchip and invented a micro-controller for medical robots.

Ekekwe was born in Ovim, Isuikwuato in Abia State. He attended the Secondary Technical School where he set a record by obtaining eight distinctions.

He then proceeded to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering and graduated as his class’ best student.

The tech icon obtained two Doctorates in Management from St. Clements University and Electrical & Computer Engineering where he specialised in Microelectronics & Medical Robotics Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, USA.

Some of his research work involved manufacturing of integrated circuits with the application of alternative energies, biomedical engineering, medical robotics and neuromorphic engineering.

Ekekwe is a US semiconductor industry veteran and has served in the United States National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center E&D Committee. Ekekwe is a Co-Chairman of JPL Financial Group, a California-based financial advisory firm which syndicates capital for projects in Africa

Renowned philanthropist and General Overseer of Christ Mercy Land church, Billionaire Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, has generously donated N10 million to the family of late Engr. Precious Ofurum, a sound engineer who lost his life in a boat mishap alongside Nollywood star, Junior Pope.

Fufeyin’s act of kindness has drawn widespread praise from Nigerians, who commended his compassion and generosity as a true embodiment of humanity.

Recall that the Akwa Ibom state governor Pastor Umo Eno had on 13th April visited late Nollywood make-up Artist, Ms Abigail Edith Frederick’s family to console them over the demise of the 24-year-old girl.

Eno promised to assist her two undergraduate sisters in school. He equally approved the remodeling of the deceased family house in Eket.

Eno during the condolence visit offered automatic employment to the deceased elder sister in the state civil service and directed that their home be renovated.

However, the tragic boat accident claimed the lives of Engr. Precious Ofurum, Ms Abigail Edith Frederick and Junior Pope, leaving the nation in mourning for the loss of these talented individuals.

Reacting on X, @Doris_Nkiruka tweeted “Prophet Jeremiah is a shining example of sympathy and compassion. I’m truly inspired by this gesture. May the soul of Engr. Precious rest in peace.”

@EmekaJohnson__ wrote, “Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin has gained another fan in me. This is true Christianity—showing love and support to those in need. I admire his good work. Instead of criticizing, let’s each do our part. God bless PapaJ!”

Mr Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, has expressed confidence about raising 300 million dollars in capital for Access Bank, considering the bank’s strong market position and shareholders’ support.

Aig-Imokhuede said this in an interview on the sideline of Access Holdings’ second Annual General Meeting(AGM) held in Lagos.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on March 29, directed commercial banks in Nigeria with international authorisation to shore up their capital base to N500 billion and national banks to N200 billion.

Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisation will increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively.

The recapitalisation exercise is expected to commence from April 1, through March 31, 2026.

Consequently, the shareholders of Access Bank at the AGM unanimously backed the Group’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of up to $1.5 billion.

They also agreed to the subset initiative to raise up to N365 billion specifically, through a Rights Issue of ordinary shares to its shareholders.

The proceeds of the rights issue will be used to support ongoing working capital needs, including organic growth funding for the group’s banking and other non-banking subsidiaries

Aig-Imokhuede explained that having announced to embark on a capital raising through Right Issue, he was confident that the group’s shareholders would support the bank in the journey.

He stated that Access Holdings has a unique relationship with the capital market in Nigeria and internationally.

“It is not the first time CBN is coming up with such policy.

“Recall that in 2004 when CBN announced that all banks must recapitalise to the tune of N25 billion and Access Bank had about N3 billion of capital.

“Between 2004 and 2007, however, our team, when I was the CEO of the bank, raised two billion dollars of common equity capital.

“Therefore, in 2024 when Access Holdings is much older, wiser, stronger, larger and significantly respected by the capital market with over 800,000 shareholders, raising 300 million dollars in capital for Access Bank, its banking subsidiary is not really much of a challenge.

“We signalled to the market first that we will be doing a Right Issue, which means that we must carry everybody along, in spite of our large institutional shareholders.

“Nonetheless, we believe in ensuring that shareholders, either large or small, continue with us on our journey.

“They have always supported us when need be with good reasons, because they believe in the company and the performance that would be delivered subsequently to such capital raising exercise.

“What is on the mind of our shareholders now is recapitalisation and they are also concerned about how their company continues to deliver returns,” he said.

Commenting on the CBN recapilisation policy, the chairman noted that Access Bank as a group endorses the CBN policy wholeheartedly.

Aig-Imokhuede described the policy as a good and sensible prudential regulation.

He added that banks, particularly after period of significant devaluation of domestic currency, volatility in the foreign exchange, and interest rate regime, are always encouraged to build up their capital buffer.

According to him, this is to ensure that whatever adverse effect that may arise as a result of the dynamic changes in the business environment would not affect their very concern.

In terms of performance and expectations from Access Holdings going forward, Aig-Imokhuede stated that the earning profile of the group, which spread across Nigeria, Africa and outside Africa subsidiaries, is very robust.

He said: “As an investor, you always look to see whether there is deep concentration where the profit is coming from; in our case, these arears are spread across three core areas that is of significant interest to local and international investors.

“If you look at the performance of banks in the year ended 2023 financial reports, you will see that all banks in naira terms have increased significantly their profitability as a result of the devaluation.

“But that isn’t the case with Access Bank, whose revaluation benefits come from the fact that it has significant international operations, because it is not a function of holding large foreign currency balances.

According to him, Access Bank, United Kingdom for example, is the largest and probably highest performing Sub-saharan African bank that has a license in the UK and making hundred of millions of naira of profit from the UK.

The chairman further said that this is not an accounting benefit that comes in the year 2023, but will continue, and with the operations of the bank in France, and across other European, Asia and Middle Eastern jurisdiction.

“We can see that the foreign currency benefit of profit in those locations are going to also accrued to the holding.

“The holding as an investor is also thinking of retail banking, which is like a utility. A retail banking with about 60 million customers is enough to sustain the bank anytime, irrespective of how volatile or uncertain the market is,” he said.

Access Holdings full-year results for the period ended Dec. 31, 2023, showcased an impressive 335 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to N729 billion from N167.68 billion in 2022.

The group also experienced an 87 per cent surge in gross earnings to N2.59 trillion from N1.39 trillion in 2022 and reported a remarkable 306 per cent growth in profit After Tax to N619.32 billion, from N152.20 billion posted in year 2022.

(NAN)

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, says he doesn’t have an account on X, formerly Twitter.

Fagbemi, in a statement on Saturday by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF, advised members of the public not to engage with handles impersonating him.

“The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has no Twitter handle.

“He has channels of communicating with Nigerians, but Twitter is not one of them, at least for now.

“The public should take notice of this and be well guided for future interactions,” the statement said.

Former Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amunike have won the race for the head coach position of the Super Eagles.

According to reports, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has decided to go with Amunike as the substantive head coach of the national team.

The Super Eagles head coach role will be the biggest challenge Amunike has had to handle.

The former Zamalek and Sporting Lisbon winger excelled as coach of the Golden Eaglets, leading the Nigeria U17 national team to win the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Amunike also impressed as head coach of the Tanzanian national team, guiding the Taifa Stars to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – their first in nearly forty years.

However, Amunike’s record with Egypt’s Misr Lel Makkasa and Zambia’s Zanaco left much to be desired.

The 53-year-old coach also fumbled when placed in charge of the Flying Eagles, failing to help the Nigeria U20 team qualify for the AFCON in 2017.

Aside from Amunike, USA U20 national team coach Michael Nsien, former Manchester City assistant manager Domenec Torrent, and Fortuna Sittard coach Danny Bruijs were all running to become the Super Eagles head coach.

Instagram influencer Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, was seen at a wedding party in Abuja on Saturday transferring cash to a hype man, days after his arraignment for naira abuse.

In an Instagram story shared by Davido’s logistics manager, Israel Afeare, Cubana Chief Priest, dressed in white native attire, was spotted transferring cash to a hype man as he danced.

The video, which also saw the socialite asking the hype man to confirm receipt of the transfer, was captioned “strictly on transfer.”

As of 8:30 p.m., Cubana Chief Priest was still at the party. The wedding between Maureen and Samuel Adekunle was held at JD Leisure Park.

Cubana’s Chief Priest’s choice of transferring instead of spraying the naira notes comes days after he was arraigned on three count charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for naira abuse and subsequent release on a N10 million bail.

Following his release on bail, the court adjourned the case until May 2 for the hearing of the preliminary objection, signifying a pause in the legal proceedings surrounding his situation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu ended petrol subsidy and multiple exchange rates in the official market because they were producing billionaires overnight.

Shettima spoke during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) led by Gabriel Idahosa, president of the chamber, in Abuja on April 18.

Tinubu declared the end of petrol subsidy during his inaugural speech as president on May 29, 2024.

A month later, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unified the multiple exchange rates in the official markets.

Also, Shettima expressed optimism about the performance of the naira.

He said the naira will continue to appreciate in the foreign exchange (FX) market.

After a consecutive appreciation trend from March 20, the naira depreciated by 17.14 percent to N1,230 per dollar on April 19.

He said the naira will strengthen in the coming days.

“Naira went haywire and some people were celebrating but inwardly we were laughing at them because we knew that we have the leadership to reverse the trend,” he said.

“Asiwaju knows the game, and truly the naira is gaining and the difference will drop further.”

Meanwhile, Shettima said the present administration is making every effort to address challenges in the power sector because it is aware that power is crucial.

“We are determined to ensure that we generate jobs for our youths. Honestly, the President’s obsession is to live in a place of glory, to transform this country to a higher pedestal,” he said.

Shettima said Tinubu wants to leave a legacy, one of qualitative leadership since Nigeria represents the hope of the black man and Africa as a whole.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has made state of origin certificate a compulsory requirement for passport renewal and fresh application.

Immigration made this known to the public in a post on its X handle on Saturday morning.

It said passport applicants do not necessarily need to go to their states of origin to get the “indigenship document”.

NIS added that it is aware that most states have liaison offices in other states.

“For example, Anambra state has liaison offices in Lagos (Eti-Osa) and Abuja (Asokoro),” NIS said.

According to Immigration, these liaison offices are empowered to issue such documents.

NIS said every document that the it requires from passport applicants to produce/submit/upload was carefully thought through.

It further stated that each document is backed by certain laws and policy documents.

“They are approved by the Federal Government through our supervising ministry – in this case, the Ministry of Interior,” Immigration said.

“It is quite important, especially based on certain intel that we have (but cannot disclose publicly), that ANYONE, a Nigerian of course, who wishes to obtain a Nigerian passport – a document of authority for identification and travel – MUST prove beyond reasonable doubt, that he/she is a Nigerian citizen.”

NIS stated that for one’s claim of being a Nigerian citizen to hold water, there has to be a document that “ties” an individual to a local government (indigenous area) within the country.

This document is what NIS requests that an applicant presents to them, amongst others, to authenticate one’s claim of being a citizen.

Immigration has urged passport applicants to read up the particular part of the Nigerian Constitution that bothers on citizenship.

The basic requirements for first-time passport applicants are as follows: completed passport application form, a recent passport-style photograph and a copy of your National Identification Number (NIN).

Others requirement include a copy of applicant’s birth certificate, letter of consent from your parents or guardian and payment of N5,000 for the passport application fee.

The requirements for renewal passport applicants are as follows: completed passport application form, a recent passport-style photograph, a copy of old passport and payment of N2,000 for the passport application fee.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu says Tunde Onakoya’s achievements show greatness can come from humble beginnings.

The governor, in a statement on Saturday, congratulated the young chess master for completing a 60-hour chess marathon in New York.

Tunde Onakoya is a Nigerian chess master, coach, and the founder of a non-profit initiative called Chess in Slums Africa.

He has organised several interventions for children across slums in Lagos state including Ikorodu, Makoko, and Oshodi.

The children are engaged in a two-week session to unlock their potential through chess while learning and acquiring literacy.

Onakoya would take on what became one of his most daring projects, opting to set a record for the longest chess marathon.

The Nigerian completed the Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt on Saturday after surpassing the previous mark of 56 hours.

GWR is typically expected to vet an attempt before confirming that a new record has been set on any task.

Sanwo-Olu said Onakoya’s achievement at Times Square New York captures “the true spirit of Lagos”.

“Your journey from Lagos, Nigeria to global recognition embodies the spirit of our great city,” he said of the young chess master.

“Tunde Onakoya continues to demonstrate that greatness can emerge from even the most humble beginnings.

“His remarkable story serves as a blueprint for all of us in Lagos city where his impact has been felt the most, showing that, with determination, dreams can indeed soar to monumental heights.

“Tunde’s entire journey was showcased on digital billboards and celebrated with watch parties, capturing the true spirit of Lagos. Despite enduring pain and fatigue, Tunde persevered, driven by his commitment to empower the children he champions.

“This is your moment, Tunde, and Lagos stands with you every step of the way.”

Onakoya learned to play chess at a barber’s shop in an Ikorodu Lagos slum where he grew up.

He got a diploma in computer science at Yaba College of Technology, representing the school in chess competitions.

Onakoya, aged 29, is a board member of the New York City-based non-profit The Gift of Chess.