In a vibrant celebration of strategy, brilliance, and royal empowerment, the ancient city of Ile-Ife witnessed a remarkable gathering as the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, and Her Regal Majesty, Olori Ambassador (Dr) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, hosted renowned chess master and global advocate, Tunde Onakoya, for an exceptional inter-school chess competition tagged “The King’s Move.”
Held within the regal ambiance of the Ile-Oodua Palace, the landmark event was organised under the auspices of the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) — a non-governmental foundation championed by the royal couple to inspire hope and empower lives. His Imperial Majesty serves as Chief Convener of HAI, with Her Majesty Olori Temitope as Deputy Convener.
The special occasion drew together 14 brilliant students from secondary schools across Ile-Ife, who engaged in a spirited chess challenge hosted by Onakoya, the Guinness World Record Holder and founder of Chess in Slums Africa. His presence brought a magnetic energy to the event, inspiring participants and observers alike.
Addressing attendees, the Ooni praised Onakoya’s work in transforming lives through chess, particularly among underserved youth. He also lauded Olori Temitope and the HAI team for curating an initiative that aligns with the palace’s vision to nurture future leaders and critical thinkers through education and innovation.
“It’s not just about the game. Chess represents life — it teaches discipline, strategy, and foresight,” the monarch stated. “We must invest in the minds of our young ones and reward excellence wherever we find it.”
Her Majesty Olori Temitope, in her address, reaffirmed the commitment of the Hopes Alive Initiative to education, advocacy, and youth engagement. She emphasised the importance of recognising talents early and giving children the platform to grow beyond societal limitations.
“Our goal is to keep hope alive through intentional mentorship and opportunities like this. Every child deserves the chance to be seen, heard, and developed — and that’s what The King’s Move represents,” Olori Temitope stated.
For his part, Onakoya expressed heartfelt gratitude to the royal household for embracing his mission and for honouring his work with a symbolic presentation — a custom-made iconic artwork, personally handed over by the Ooni, in recognition of his contributions to education and youth development.
“I’m deeply honoured by this gesture,” Onakoya said. “Initiatives like this remind us of the power of community support in building a future filled with hope.”
The highlight of the day was the prize-giving session, where all participating students and their teachers were recognised for their efforts and commitment. Notably, Toyosi Samuel of Eleve Academy emerged as the overall winner, earning accolades and admiration for his performance on the royal chessboard. He was awarded a special cash prize of ₦100,000.
In a further show of royal generosity, the Ooni announced a collective cash reward of ₦500,000 to be shared among all participating students. Teachers who accompanied the students were also not left out, as they received a total of ₦1 million in appreciation of their dedication.
A teacher who spoke anonymously appreciated the gesture, describing the event as both morale-boosting and motivational, especially in a time when educators need encouragement.
In total, ₦1.6 million was disbursed to students and teachers — a timely and inspiring intervention that added even more meaning to the event’s theme of hope, excellence, and empowerment.
Through Hopes Alive Initiative and collaborations with transformative figures like Tunde Onakoya, the Ooni and Olori Temitope continue to set a precedent in bridging tradition with progressive youth engagement, ensuring that the next generation is not only hopeful but equipped to lead.
