Bill Clinton, former US president, has asked to meet Tanitoluwa Adewumi, the eight-year-old Nigerian chess genius conquering the world of chess in the US.
Over the weekend, New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, wrote extensively about Adewunmi’s historic rise in Manhattan, and how he just won his category at the New York State chess championship.
Adewumi, whose family reportedly fled Nigeria because of the Boko Haram crisis, soon became an internet sensation in Nigeria, as the country began celebrating him via multiplatform media coverage.
He has since raised over $187,000 to get the necessary shelter his family needs — via GoFundMe.
An MSNBS producer shared Tani’s story on Twitter, getting a response from the fomer US president, who asked Tani and his “hardworking parents” to visit him.
“Refugees enrich our nation and talent is universal, even if opportunity is not,” Clinton said.
“This story made me smile. Tanitoluwa, you exemplify a winning spirit – in chess and in life. And kudos to your hardworking parents. You all should stop by my office in Harlem; I’d love to meet you.”
Kayode Adewumi, Tani’s father, had said his son told him that he “wants to be the youngest grandmaster”.