For over 40 hours, Tunde Onakoya has been playing chess in Times Square to break the Guinness world record for the longest chess marathon, without losing a game. So far he has not.

During this time, the 29 year old chess master has received support from millions of Nigerians at home and in New York City who continue to cheer him on in setting a new world record of 58 hours.

Onakoya is being tipped to set the new record by some of Nigeria’s elites and celebrities who have publicly shown support for him online and in person at his stand in Times Square where he set up for 3 days.

Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold, and Davido surprised Onakoya after showing up at Times Square to rally behind him. Davido had organised a music concert at The Garden in New York City the night before.

In an unfamiliar environment, Onakoya was resented with some familiarity as Omoyele Sowore, activist and politician who has run for Nigeria’s presidency twice handed him food packs from an African-themed restaurant in New York.

Since founding Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya’s has related with some of Nigeria’s elites, some of whom openly commend his aspiration and back him to achieve it.

Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, expressed his support for Onakoya in a post on X where he wrote “Good luck on checkmating New York @Tunde_OD as you attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the longest Chess Marathon. Continue to serve as an inspiration especially to African youth! We are solidly behind you.” attached to a picture taken with Onakoya wearing his trademark Fila (Cap).

Onakoya, an indigene of Lagos state where he began his work helping underprivileged children also earned the backing of Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who describes his endeavour as a “bold move.”

“Lagos is rooting for you as you,” he said.

“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,” he added.

On X, he wrote, “On behalf of the Ogun State government and its people, we extend our best wishes to @Tunde_OD…We applaud his efforts to raise funds to support children’s dreams worldwide through this noble initiative.”

Some of Nigeria’s former vice presidents have also publicly shown support for Onakoya. Former vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who had played a chess game or two with Onakoya wrote an open letter to him on X tipping him to get the win.

“Best of luck in Times Square…Your resilience and spirit inspire us all. Remember your own powerful words ‘It is possible to do great things from a small place’, the post read.

“Let the dynamic energy of Times Square amplify the greatness that you, a proud Nigerian, bring to the chessboard. We’re all behind you—show the world the strength and determination you are made of! God bless you,” he added.

Atiku Abubakar, another of Nigeria’s former vice presidents who has contested for the presidency twice openly showed support for Onakoya’s initiative.

In a social media post, he wrote, “I join millions of Nigerians at home and abroad in wishing you the best…Your can-do spirit thus far has been truly inspirational. I am rooting for you to break new ground.”

Foreign missions in Nigeria also rallied behind Onakoya to set the new record. The United States Diplomatic Mission Nigeria and the British High Commission in Nigeria have openly shown their support for Onakoya on their official social media under the hashtag #ChessMarathonforChange.

Onakoya is using the Guinness world record attempt as a catalyst to raise $1 million to support children in underprivileged communities across Africa with access to education.

So far, Onakoya has played and won over 100 games and raised more than $45,000.

The drama between Nickie dabarbie and Skiibii is clearly far from over, as the influencer has come out spill more tea on the issue.

In one of the posts she made, Nicki dabarbie shared how God had come through for her, and here’s what she wrote;

“I’ve never spoken in tounges in my life Holy Spirit is real God is real God saved my life He knows I’m not a bad girl.. that’s why he spared me,

“He’s just teaching me a lesson to never deviate from the church because the devil is trying hard to spoil the church and make people believe crap. I’ve been doubting the existence of God and this is just a way for God to use me for his works. Witches and wizards are all real I saw a lot of things”

She went on to state the reason why she’s always on her own, and hardly collaborates with other influencers, while revealing more information on her encounter with Skiibii.

“People always say “oh Nickie you are so proud you don’t go out, you don’t collaborate. I just don’t know what made me go there.. On the boat cruise I was forced to take alcohol People around know I don’t smoke and drink.

“After that drink I just started liking him.. God said I’ll be the last girl they’ll ever do that to I’m not the first or the second…. plenty girls did not escape this It really shocked all of them and I heard a voice that said.….

“The God you serve can not save your life! Then I told him to repent and he said He has no reason to repent cause my God is powerless Skiibii said Alhamdulilah’ before he gave me an infused COFFE to drink”

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has faulted former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello’s claim that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disobeyed the orders of the Kogi State High Court by seeking to arrest and arraign him before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

In a statement released by Falana on Friday, he opined that the EFCC had diligently complied with the order of the Kogi State High Court by filing charges of money laundering of over N80bn against Bello.

He added that the order made by the Federal High Court for the arrest of Bello for his arraignment, is equally in line with the order of the Kogi State High Court.

He said, “From the foregoing, it is indubitably clear that the Kogi State High Court granted an order to enforce the fundamental rights of Mr. Yahaya Bello to personal liberty and freedom of movement. The order was made ” *without prejudice to the power of the said Federal High Court, to make any Order as it may deem just in the determination of the rights of the Applicant and the Respondent as may be submitted to her for consideration and determination.

“The Kogi State High Court specifically directed the EFCC to bring before the said Federal High Court, or any such appropriate Court, such criminal Charge, allegation or complaint in respect of whereof the Applicant is reasonably believed by the Respondent to have committed any offence.

“Therefore, by filing charges of money laundering of over N80 billion against Mr. Yahaya Bello at the Federal High Court the EFCC has diligently complied with the order of the Kogi State High Court. In the same vein, the order made by the Federal High Court for the arrest of Mr. Yahaya Bello for the purpose of his arraignment is equally in line with the order of the Kogi State High Court.”

Falana’s clarification comes on the heels of a recent attempt by the EFCC to arrest Bello over an alleged N80.2bn fraud.

The embattled former governor has been put on the watch list of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), as all police officers attached to him, have equally been withdrawn by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.