Rauf Toheeb

First Nigerian to play chess at the Louvre 🇫🇷-The world’s most prestigious museum.

Let me offer a different perspective. No one is denying the work. He has helped people, especially children and some of the most vulnerable in Nigeria. But their vulnerability is not random. It is the result of a failed system. That context matters. Yes, it was disappointing to see him accept recognition from that same system people believe he is fighting. But we all know the regime in power is very vindictive. And if getting national recognition helps further his work, it is hard to argue against that. So people like me sat on the fence on that one. It was disappointing, but we understood. That is not the main issue. The issue is what happened after. When people questioned him, many of them the same people who supported him and helped amplify his work, he had multiple options. He could have explained. He could have acknowledged the concerns and shown empathy. He could also have laid low, and let the storm blow past. Instead, he called them a MOB. That word is not neutral. It has been used repeatedly to silence and mock Nigerians and dismiss real concerns. He chose to weaponize a word that has been used falsely to label Nigerians who are simply trying to free themselves. That is why people are upset. You can choose to mind your business. You can even benefit from the system. That is your choice. But you do not get to put others down for speaking up. You do not get to silence people who are also trying to get out of the same system you claim to be helping people out of. That is where the line is crossed. Do not get me wrong, I used to be a huge supporter of Tunde. I even wanted to buy one of his chess sets, that is how much I believed in what he was doing. Even when this first happened, I stayed quiet. I sat on the fence, hoping there was something I was missing. But he kept digging deeper. No remorse. No attempt to understand why people were concerned. At that point I called him out and chopped blocking 😅. To whom much is given, much is expected.., Tunde was elevated and celebrated by young Nigerians and the first opportunity he had, he chose betrayal. We were a means to an end..