UBUNTU - THE STORIES MATTER; FERDINAND FERDINAND MEHUNU MAWUMO

FERDINAND MAMUO On April 29, 2021, Ferdinand found the gift of chess. Ferdinand’s chance encounter with the game has since become the most defining moment of his life. Ferdinand, a differently-abled child, living with cerebral palsy, born to a poor fisherman used to be bullied by other children in his community and called names like “imbecile” while being isolated from other kids and activities in their community in Makoko. During a Chess in Slums Africa outreach in Makoko, the largest floating slum in the world, Ferdinand, who had been isolated by the other kids who were selected to be a part of the chess training centre set up in the community by Chess in Slums Africa, was brought in by Tunde Onakoya. A few minutes into learning board arrangement and pawn movements, Ferdinand outperformed everyone in his class despite never having been in a school or seen a chess board. He showed a rare understanding of Chess through Pattern recognition. Following his time at the training centre, Ferdinand emerged the winner of the CISA tournament in Makoko. From that moment onwards, Ferdinand’s story became an enthralling soap opera with many happy beginnings. Shortly after his victory in the Makoko tournament, Ferdinand was invited by the Governor of Lagos State for a friendly Chess match and was gifted a one million naira cash prize after a keenly contested match that lasted for about 35 minutes and ended in a draw. Fast forward to 2025, Ferdinand is in the United States …

FERDINAND MAMUO

On April 29, 2021, Ferdinand found the gift of chess. Ferdinand’s chance encounter with the game has since become the most defining moment of his life. Ferdinand, a differently-abled child, living with cerebral palsy, born to a poor fisherman used to be bullied by other children in his community and called names like “imbecile” while being isolated from other kids and activities in their community in Makoko.

During a Chess in Slums Africa outreach in Makoko, the largest floating slum in the world, Ferdinand, who had been isolated by the other kids who were selected to be a part of the chess training centre set up in the community by Chess in Slums Africa, was brought in by Tunde Onakoya.

A few minutes into learning board arrangement and pawn movements, Ferdinand outperformed everyone in his class despite never having been in a school or seen a chess board. He showed a rare understanding of Chess through Pattern recognition.

Following his time at the training centre, Ferdinand emerged the winner of the CISA tournament in Makoko. From that moment onwards, Ferdinand’s story became an enthralling soap opera with many happy beginnings.

Shortly after his victory in the Makoko tournament, Ferdinand was invited by the Governor of Lagos State for a friendly Chess match and was gifted a one million naira cash prize after a keenly contested match that lasted for about 35 minutes and ended in a draw.

Fast forward to 2025, Ferdinand is in the United States of America for the first time, playing against highly-rated USCF players and schooling them on the board.

During the (contest name), Ferdinand won the Young Genius Award for an outstanding performance and was presented his award by American Actor and Walking Dead star Khary Payton.

Ferdinand Mamuo is a name to remember.