UNILAG Student Triumphs Again at National Scrabble Competition

By Kehinde Balogun

Enoch Nwali, an undergraduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has retained his title as champion in the Masters category at the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Nwali emerged victorious, beating 39 other Scrabble players in his category to claim the top prize of N750,000. In other categories, Doubara Enai, Theophilus Nimibo, and Doku Esan emerged as champions in the Intermediate, Opens, and Veterans categories, respectively. In the Students category, Pereowei Edidie from Federal Government College, Odi, Bayelsa State, claimed the top spot.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, represented by Mr Braveman Wodi, Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports, assured those at the event that the state government would continue to put more effort into developing sports, including Scrabble, recognizing its potential to engage youths positively. He also hinted at a bigger and better season five of the competition.

In his remarks, Chief Olobatoke Aka, President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), expressed gratitude to the governor for sponsoring the National Scrabble Classic while also lauding him for the developmental strides under his administration. Chief Aka further advocated the inclusion of Scrabble in the curriculum of schools in Nigeria.

Also, Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association thanked the NSF and Governor Diri for their support. He also advocated for Scrabble to be included in the Olympics, predicting it could bring home medals for Nigeria.