Mr Macaroni Backs Tunde Onakoya Amid Backlash Over Tinubu Visit

Popular Nigerian comedian and activist, Mr Macaroni, has publicly supported Tunde Onakoya, the chess prodigy and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, after online backlash erupted over Onakoya’s recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Onakoya visited President Tinubu to present his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest chess marathon and gifted him a gold-plated Adire chess set. During the meeting, the President praised Onakoya’s achievements as a symbol of Nigerian youth excellence and resilience, and expressed interest in expanding the chess initiative nationwide.

However, the visit stirred controversy on social media, with critics questioning Onakoya’s decision to engage with the administration. Comparisons were quickly drawn to Mr Macaroni, a well-known government critic who has refused similar invitations in the past.

In response, Mr Macaroni took to social media to defend Onakoya, applauding his dedication to youth empowerment and calling for respect for different paths to national development.

“The work Tunde Onakoya is doing is not just commendable, it is tremendously inspiring! At the end of the day, what we all want is a better country that we all can be proud of — and there are different ways to achieve that. We all must play our part,” Macaroni stated.

His comments emphasized the importance of unity, compassion, and diverse strategies in nation-building, whether through activism, education, or innovation.

A Broader Message

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between activism and engagement in Nigeria’s socio-political climate. Mr Macaroni’s stance underscores the idea that positive change can come from various fronts and that nation-building is not one-size-fits-all.