A Nigerian Chess Master in Times Square

The New York Times

Tunde Onakoya is trying to break a record for the longest chess marathon. And he’s playing his games in the open air in Manhattan.

Good morning. It’s Thursday. Today we’ll look at a Nigerian chess master who is playing in Times Square. We’ll also look at a documentary about Black farmers that a store in Brooklyn will play on Earth Day.

As people took turns playing double Dutch and as Batman strutted around in Times Square, a Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, began his quest to break the Guinness world record for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya, 29, in New York City for the first time, aims not only to break the world record of 56 hours, set in 2018, but also to raise money for the Gift of Chess and Chess in Slums Africa, organizations that aim to use the game to lift children out of poverty.

By Lola Fadulu.

Full story at NY Times.

Here're the spiciest celebrity reactions to Nigeria's AFCON win

Your favourite celebs had something to say about the victory of the Super Eagles.

After the Nigerian Super Eagles clinched a triumphant win against South Africa's Bafana Bafana team yesterday during the on going AFCON, the nation erupted in joy.

Since the gripping match ended, Nigerian celebrities have taken to social media to express their elation and support for the victorious national team.

Adekunle Gold

AG Baby watched the live match from the comfort of his home surrounded by many friends including rapper, Falz. The video posted to his Instagram page captured the very moment when the Super Eagles scored their winning penalty against Bafana Bafana, and the loud cheers that followed. Adekunle Gold and his group erupted into shouts of joy and began to dance to his song Party No Dey Stop. In utter excitement, he captioned the post "God is Nigerian."

Full story at Pulse NG.

By Ibukunoluwa Daramola.

Veteran Nollywood actor Jimi Solanke has died at age 81

Photo credit: The Guardian NG

Dickson Awolaja confirmed the news to the media on Monday.

Nigerian actor and dramatist, Jimi Solanke has died at age 81 after a brief battle with an illness.

According to a report in the Punch, the renowned writer and poet passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024. He is said to have passed away while being transported from his rural home in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area, Ogun State, to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan.

The report states that Solanke had been in and out of the hospital between December 2023 to February 2024.

According to the outlet, the news of his death was confirmed by Dickson Awolaja who represents Remo North State Constituency at the State Assembly.

Full story at Pulse NG.

By Ibukunoluwa Daramola.

Here's the complete list of winners at the 2024 Grammy Awards

The priced Best African Music Performance category was won by the South African, Tyla for "Water."

The winners of the 2024 Grammy Awards have all been announced.

While Nigeria has maintained a steady winning streak at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), activities at the Grammys last night didn't go as many would have liked it.

Davido didn't win in any of the three categories he earned nominations, including, Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Global Album Performance.

Burna Boy lost all the four categories he was nominated including, Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Global Album Performance, and Best Melodic Rap Performance.

Full story at Pulse NG.

By Dennis Da-Ala Mirilla.

My ex-husband always beat me anytime Man Utd lose match – Actress Victoria Inyama

Popular Nollywood actress, Victoria Inyama, said her estranged husband, Godwin Okrim always transfers his aggression to her whenever the football club he supports, Manchester United perform poorly.

The thespian said he would always beat anytime the Red Devils lost a match.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Inyama said she is still dealing with the trauma to date as she not only hates the club, but anytime she watches them lose a match, she remembers the beaten she used to suffer at the hands of her ex-husband.

By Sunny Green Itodo.

Full story at Daily Post.

Ayoba and Boomplay announce cross-platform partnership

The integration has already been rolled out across various African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt and more

Africa’s super app, ayoba, and Africa’s premier music streaming and download platform, Boomplay, have announced a strategic cross-platform partnership involving the integration of music and audio content from Boomplay onto the ayoba app.

The collaboration will afford ayoba users access to a wide range of music and audio content from Boomplay, including new music releases and specially curated playlists, to stream for free without incurring data charges for MTN users. ayoba users can also opt for Boomplay premium on the ayoba platform, an ad-free subscription that makes available Boomplay’s catalogue of over 120 million songs to subscribers.

Pulse Mix.

Full story at Pulse Ng.

Author's Update: Google Play Books Store.

Buying my books on Google Play Book Store is now easier:

1. Load any airtime equivalent to the amount my book is sold for.

2. Go to Google Play Book Store and search (Olagunju Success Taiwo).

3. Pay for the book via airtime.

4. Download the book to your phone and start reading.

All the best for your support guys:

Google Play Books Link:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Olagunju_Success_Taiwo_Making_the_CHANGE_Evident?id=J4AwDwAAQBAJ&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1