Metro News

12-year-old Nigerian chess champion granted asylum in US

Published

1 year ago

December 14, 2022

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Twelve-year-old Nigerian refugee who won the NY State chess championship in 2019, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his family have been granted asylum by the government of the United States of America.

Asylum is referred to as the protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their home country as a refugee.

Tani’s family had reportedly fled Nigeria for the US to seek religious asylum on account of the Boko Haram crisis in 2017.

At 8, he made the headlines after winning the 2019 New York chess championship by defeating 73 other opponents while living in a homeless center.

Last year, Tani won yet another competition to officially become a national chess master in the US.

Trevor Noah to produce movie on 8-year-old Nigerian chess champion
Eight-year-old Tani
According to Washington Post, the little boy was thrilled after his family’s request for asylum was granted by the US government.

“It feels amazing because it’s been such a long journey. I’m just grateful that we’ve gotten this opportunity,” he said.

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Kayode Adewumi, Tani’s father, said the whole family is excited, adding, “we feel so relieved, everybody is so happy.”

The development also comes as a relief to the chess champion whose career was somewhat hindered because of the pending application.

He had been unable to travel to compete in tournaments all over the world.

In November 2019, Trevor Noah, the South African comedian, earlier said he will produce a movie about Tani’s feat.

The movie, which would be adapted from three yet-to-published books on the Adewumi family, would follow the story of a Nigerian household that escapes terrorism and sought asylum in New York, against all odds.

As the family is caught in the struggle to find a better life, their son’s accomplishments in the game of chess go viral and the family’s story becomes an inspiration to many.

Metro News

Ajayi Crowther varsity guards arrested for raping female student

Published

12 hours ago

May 11, 2024

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The management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, on Saturday, announced the arrest of two members of its vigilante group for allegedly raping a female student of the institution.

The management, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Atoyebi, said the university had set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.

Atoyebi said the suspects have been handed over to the police with a vow to ensure heavy penalty on anyone found culpable after a thorough investigation.

He, therefore, assured all stakeholders that the institution would not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.

The statement read in part, “Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo received with shock a report of alleged rape of one of our female students on Thursday, May 9, 2024, by two members of our vigilance group.

“The management promptly handed over to the police, the two people alleged to have committed the crime while the university has set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.

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“The management wishes to assure all stakeholders that ACU will not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.

“Raising Godly intellectuals is our primary goal in ACU and we will not allow any act of misconduct capable of diverting our attention from our goal. Heavy penalty awaits anyone who is found culpable after our thorough investigation.”

Metro News

JUST IN: XeJet Airlines plane skids off Lagos airport runway

Published

13 hours ago

May 11, 2024

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A XeJet Airlines plane, On Saturday, veered off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.

The bureau said the aircraft, which departed Abuja, skidded off runway 18L on landing in Lagos — making a halt on “the grass verge.”

According to the agency, about 52 passengers were on board the ill-fated aircraft, with the call sign 5NBZZ.

“NSIB confirms that an aircraft belonging to Xejet airlines skidded off the runway at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport this morning. A go team has been deployed to the site of the incident,” the statement reads.

“Fire and Rescue on ground to help in evacuation of the passengers.”

The bureau said the runway has been closed to traffic at the moment.

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Metro News

Robbers steal car with three-year-old boy inside in Ogun

Published

18 hours ago

May 11, 2024

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A father, Taiwo Fayobi, has sought police intervention after some robbers stole his Toyota Camry car with his son in it in the Ikenne area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that Fayobi was attempting to open the gate of his house when the robbers entered his vehicle and drove away with his three-year-old son.

The development threw Fayobi into confusion and he raised the alarm over the incident.

He, thereafter, proceeded to the nearest police station to lodge an official complaint so the suspects would be tracked down and arrested.

Confirming the development in a post on X on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omotola Odutola, identified the number plate of the stolen car as PKA 446 GV.

The post read, “Stolen Car / Child. On May 11, 2024. One Taiwo Fayobi, a resident in Ikenne, Ogun State, reported he alighted from his Toyota Camry PKA 446 GV to open his gate.

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“Two hoodlums zoomed off with his car, with his three-year-old son inside. Influencers pls share to save the boy.”