By Maxwell Kumoye
A key stakeholder and very passionate scrabble lover in the sporting firmament in Nigeria, Engineer Osikhena Ojior, says the game of Scrabble and Sports in general is one major vehicle that can take the youths off the streets and engage them meaningfully.
Osikhena Ojior a civil engineer made this submission at the weekend in Accra the Ghanaian capital during the ongoing African Games.
“Sports and scrabble in particular has the power to arrest the minds of our teeming youth population, give a platform to earn a living and equally take them off the street.”
The former Shell Petroleum manager stated that scrabble was what he and his friends as well as business associates used to take hundreds of young off the street and social vices.
“With the support of Shell and my friends with deep pocket, we grow the game of words and turn Warri and the near bye towns and cities in Nigeria’s Scrabble hub and Warri eventually produced the first African world scrabble champion in Wellington Jighere.” Ojior Osikhena stated.
Currently, Osikhena Ojior who is a permanent secretary in the ministry of urban planning in Edo State, South South, Nigeria stressed that he will continue to support the game of Scrabble at all levels in Nigeria and on the continent.
It’s will interest you to know that the third prize trophy of the Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA President’s Cup 2023 was named after Engineer Osikhena Ojior because of his huge contribution to the mind game in Africa.
“I’m eagerly waiting and looking forward to a time in Nigeria and the continent when major corporate bodies will identify with scrabble and support it fully.” He added.
Engineer Osikhena Ojior’s love and passion for scrabble was ignited while in the University by a Scrabble first Nigeria Scrabble Grand Master Azu Ogbogu, although it all stated at home.
Besides supporting and sponsoring scrabble, the kind hearted Ojior Osikhena has helped in financing the education and careers of many young Nigerians in different part of the country.
At the ongoing African Games in Ghana Engineer Osikhena Ojior rewarded handsomely one of the finest and most accomplished scrabble amazon Tuoyo Mayuku for her unbeaten in the team event won by Nigeria.
“My happiness and joy increases when ever I the players and the game of Scrabble blossom and when the players excel, you just have to acknowledge it and encourage them.” The winner of the 2021 veteran category of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship stressed.
Despite his very demanding and busy working schedule, the Edo State born engineer and sports administrator regularly grace all major national and international Championships that also enjoys and benefits from his kind and large heart.