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Tag: NSF

  • NSF Day 10: Delta cruising to victory with 226 medals

    NSF Day 10: Delta cruising to victory with 226 medals

    Team Delta is cruising to overall victory on the official medals table of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State with 226 medals.

    Delta, which is in a clear lead of 33 other states on the medals table, has won 92 gold, 59 silver and 75 bronze, bringing the state’s total medals to 226.

    Bayelsa continues the chase with 64 gold, 42 silver and 49 bronze medals, totalling 155.

    Ogun, the host state, remains third with 53 gold, 44 silver and 52 bronze, with a total of 149 medals.

    Meanwhile, Rivers returns to fourth position with 49 gold, 40 silver and 48 bronze, totalling 137 medals to displace Edo.

    The table indicated that Edo is now fifth with 46 gold, 80 silver and 77 bronze, bringing the total number of medals to 203.

    The table at the time of filing this report showed that a total of 1,438 medals have so far been won.

    The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government.

    It brings together athletes from the  36 states and the FCT to compete in various sports, promoting national unity, sportsmanship, and excellence across Nigeria.

  • Ogun govt opens up on explosion at venue of NSF

    Ogun govt opens up on explosion at venue of NSF

    The Ogun Government has assured athletes participating in the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) of their safety following Tuesday’s explosion of a diesel tanker at Alake Sports Complex, Abeokuta.

    Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, said the incident had been perfectly handled.

    “The fire was immediately put out to prevent any damage, as the complex involved is one of the venues for the sports festival,” Akinmade said.

    He commended the promptness and proactiveness of the state fire service and the vigilance of officials at the complex.

    “The fire incident that involved a diesel tanker close to one of our facilities for the National Sports Festival this afternoon was very unfortunate.

    “We thank God that the fire was immediately put out to avert casualties. To this end, we want to assure all our athletes and the people of the state of safety and that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is under absolute control,” he said.

  • Team Lagos completes trophy haul in both the Asaph Zadok and the Inter-Club Challenge

    Team Lagos completes trophy haul in both the Asaph Zadok and the Inter-Club Challenge

    One week of scrabble festivities came to a befitting end on Sunday as the NSF Awards and Gala Night drew the curtain on the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, a 4 in 1 event, sponsored by the Ogun State Government.
    The Festival which included the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, the Federation’s Annual General Meeting, the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals and the Awards and Gala Night.
    The well attended Awards and Gala Night that had in attendance the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Honourable Isiaka Wasiu, the Head of the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Mr Gbolahun Okeowo, the President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka, the chairman Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) Adekoyejo Adegbesan, the Technical Director of the Federation John Curtis, among others rewarded the best scrabble players in the last season and the winners at the Scrabble Festival.
    The star of the night was none other than the current African Scrabble Champion and winner of the 1st of the 4 events the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, Enoch Nwali, a UNILAG Health Education student.
    Enoch Nwali, who won the Asaph Zadok National Championship with 20 wins and a draw from 28 games with a + 1220 cumulative points was decorated by the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Isiaka Wasiu, the guest of honour at the Awards night with the NSF Green Jacket and became Nigeria’s National Champion.
    Enock Nwali, a student of Health Education from the University of Lagos and the winner of the 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics, had kind words for the sponsors of the weeklong festival, hear him, “First of all, I want to thank Ogun State for their wonderful hosting, it was a lovely experience being in Ijebu-Ode, for the first time.”
    “Finally I want to thank God that I won this Cup, last year the title slipped out of my fingers and thank God we are here today.”
    To my teammates, those in Team Lagos and Team UNILAG, thank you for the support and God bless you all.”
    The 2nd title in the individual category went to Lagos State’ John Aiyedun, and the 3rd placed title was the property of Ogun State’ Oluwatimilehin Doko.
    In the Team event of the National Championship, Team Delta came 1st with Lagos State coming in second place.
    Host Ogun State finished a commendable 3rd on 93 victories and a +2684 points.
    The NSF Inter-Club Challenge title went to Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos, John Aiyedun, Dipo Akanbi, Ayomisipo Akinfemisoye, Olawole Ogedengbe, Adegboyegha Akintokun and Osaghaede Omijeh were the scrabble warriors that set their engines at just the right pace to sweep the top spot once again in style.
    Surulere SC who fielded a star-studded team with the likes of captain Olumide Oyejide, Hakeem Olaribighe, Opeyemi Oloro Joseph Okere, Olatunde Adigun and Sunday Ituah grabbed the 2nd position in the Inter-Club Finals.
    UNILAG SC who lead on Day 1 and 2 until Pyramids SC snatched the first spot, finished 3rd, stars like African Champion, Enoch Nwali, West Africa Champion, Oluwatimilehin Doko, winner of the 2023 Scrabble in the Jungle – Genz edition Musa Lateef, Africa Youth Scrabble Champion, David Ojih, winner of the 2023 Jubilee National Scrabble Championship, Tunde Saporu, Kareem Jamiu and Babajide Alagbada, were the backbone of the University scrabblers.
    Oluwatimilehin Doko of UNILAG Scrabble Club won the Most Valuable Player of the NSF Inter-Club Challenge, winning 24 of 30 points and also won the Award for the player who stayed longest in the number one spot of NSF National ratings for the 2023 season.
    The most improved male player – 2023, went to Sylvanus Ikpere.
    13th African Games gold medalist, Joy Ola, was named the most improved female player of the outgoing scrabble season.
    Tega Okiemute, from WordCrafts SC, played the most rated games in the 2023 season.
    All the winners were rewarded handsomely for their outstanding performances, in the 2023 season and the Scrabble Festival.
  • The lineup for NSF Inter Club Challenge now complete

    The lineup for NSF Inter Club Challenge now complete

    The lineup of teams competing for honours at NSF Inter Club Challenge Abeokuta-2024 is now complete after the conclusion of the South-South Zonal Play-Off in Benin City, Edo State.
    Benin SC, Victory SC of Warri and Uyo SC are the latest clubs to book their tickets for the Inter Club Challenge finals in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria.
    Host, Benin Scrabble Club were the first to punch their ticket for the grand finals from the South-South Zonal Play-Off with 10 wins and a plus 1287 cumulative points, ahead of Victory SC of Warri.
    Fresh from Accra, the Ghanaian capital with Team Nigeria at the 13th African Games Tega Okiemute, was just too hot to handle and his dexterity on the board was awesome. Dropping only 2 out of 15 games with a plus 960 cumulative points.
    Zuofa Peres and captain George Ezinore also put in a good shift for Benin SC.
    Victory SC secured 9 wins and a cumulative points of plus 1390.
    Godwin Victor, Akpojotor Ochuko, Jacob Tone, Larry Etuwa and captain Emmanuel Umujose, all played their part in ensuring victory for Victory SC in the Play-Off directed by multiple African Games gold medal winning coach, Prince Anthony Ikolo.
    The scrabblers from the land of promise, Uyo Scrabble Club with this gang of word warriors, Prestige Archibong, Ryan Jacob, Victor Owokere, Ekpo Emmanuel and Elvis James, garner 6 wins with a minus 1642 cumulative points.
    Despite the good showing of the captain of Team Nigeria to the last West African Scrabble Championship, Ben Quickpen, Yenagoa SC could not secure a place in the finals in Abeokuta as they came first from the bottom with a minus 1035 cumulative points from 3 victories from 15 rounds of games.
    It’s imperative to state that under the captaincy of current African Scrabble Champion, Enoch Nwali, UNILAG Scrabble Club marched into the finals by dominating group A of the South West Play-off, recording three wins over Ibadan SC and BSP SC.
    Nwali, was supported by Kareem Jamiu, who came third in the second edition of ‘Scrabble In The Jungle’ in Lagos last year, Babajide Alagbada, Tunde Saporu, the winner of the 2023 Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Open in Abuja. Ebenezer Toyeme and Victor Ukpe completes the UNILAG Scrabble Club team.
    Pyramid SC captained by Dipo Akanbi a former NSF Green Jacket holder, navigated their way into the final phase of the NSF Inter Club Championship with victories over Surulere SC and Egbin SC in group B of the South West Play-Off.
    Akanbi won 9 games out of 10 and he had the chance to do 10 over 10 but missed the word SAPIENS against Olaribigbe Hakeem of Surulere SC to seal the game.
    The 2017 NSF Green Jacket holder played 22 bingos in the game against Olaribigbe Hakeem of Surulere SC.
    Young and talented John Aiyedun, experienced Ayo Akinfemisoye and the never say it’s over Femi Simpson, as well as Femi-Ade Wahab and Omijeh Osaghaede were hand, fully charged to light up their pathway to the finals at Sarank Hotel, Egbin, Ikorodu, Lagos State, venue of the South West Play-Off.
    Ikorodu SC with 3 wins was too strong for big guns from Lekki SC and Alausa SC that is making their maiden appearance in the NSF Inter Club Championship in group C.
    Surulere SC sneaked into the NSF Inter Club Challenge finals as winners of the second chance Play off of the South West Zone. They edged out Ibadan SC and Lekki Scrabble Club with, three wins and a plus 450 cumulative points.
    Kaduna Central Scrabble Club were the first team to pick their ticket to the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship after brushing aside South Side Scrabble Club to pick the Northwest slot last month.
    Apex Scrabble Club of Abuja, that parades the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Technical Director, John Curtis, his brother, Peter Ebomah, young and talented National Sports Festival gold medalist and a member of Team Nigeria to the African, Games Jimoh Abdulmumin, 2023 winner of the MGI Patrons Cup, Anthony Odok, qualified for the Challenge finals from the North Central Zonal Play-Off.
    Jos SC fondly called Rock Solid Jammers, also booked their place in the National finals by beating Central Scrabble Club Abuja A, B and C teams. Winning 11 rounds, 54 games and a cumulative of plus 1211 points.
    Anambra Scrabble Club, the sole entrance from the South East are also through to the national NSF Inter Club Championship finals.
    Warri Scrabble Club, also known as Victory SC that parades famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor, Jacob Tone, Larry Etuwa and Akpojotor Ochuko are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
    Teams that are through to the finals are:
    ✓ BENIN SC
    ✓ VICTORY SC
    ✓ UYO SC
    ✓ JOS SC
    ✓ APEX SC
    ✓ ANAMBRA SC
    ✓ ABEOKUTA SC as host city club
    ✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
    ✓ SURULERE SC
    ✓ IKORODU SC
    ✓ PYRAMID SC
    ✓ UNILAG Scrabble Club
    28 Clubs from 13 States and the Nigeria Police started the race to reach the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
    The NSF Inter Club Challenge is one of the four events lined up for this year’s NSF Scrabble Festival holding at the landmark, June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto-Abeokuta, Ogun State.
    The other events are:
    ★ Asaph Zadok National Championship, which produces the national champion who wears the NSF Green Jacket and State Champion
    ★ Annual General Meeting (AGM)
    ★ Awards and Gala Night
    Delta State are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, with Eta Paul Karo as the holder of the NSF Green Jacket 2023.
  • Kaduna Central Scrabble Club picks first ticket to the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship

    Kaduna Central Scrabble Club picks first ticket to the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship

    The identity of teams that will compete in the finals of the 2024 Nigeria Scrabble Federation, (NSF), Inter Club Championship scheduled to hold in the ancient Rock City of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, is getting clearer.
    The first team to punch it’s ticket to the finals scheduled for April is Kaduna Central Scrabble Club, from the North West zone under the leadership of Othman Abdulaziz.
    They secured their passage into the much awaited finals with the help of Sadiq Abubakar, Baba Adamu, Suraj Aminu, Orkuma Gideon, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir and Attahiru Abdullahi at the expense of South Side Scrabble Club also of Kaduna at the weekend after a titanic battle at the Jollywood Gardens, Sabon Tasha.
    Despite the efforts of Danjuma Idris, Donatus Idogbe, Adeka Akochi, Odunayo Wellington, Bathlomew Okafor, Jonathan Sani and Neino Jonathan the South Side failed to click.
    Eleven other clubs are expected to emerge from the North Central, South West, South East, and South South of the Geo-Sporting zones of Nigeria for the grand finale.
    For your information, Warri Scrabble Club that parades the like of famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup Godwin Victor, Daystar Atti, Jacob Tone, Etuwa Larry, Akpojotor Ochuko and Peremor Ekpesaba are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
    The technical director of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, John Curtis, told your authoritative Scrabble News Channel, FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG , that 28 clubs from over 13 states of the Federation and Nigeria Police are participating in this year’s event.
    The states are:
    ★ Lagos with eight clubs.
    ★ Ogun
    ★ Oyo
    ★ Ekiti
    ★ Edo with two clubs
    ★ Delta with three different clubs
    ★ Bayelsa
    ★ Plateau
    ★ Kaduna with two clubs sides
    ★ Rivers with two teams
    ★ Ondo
    ★ Anambra
    ★ Federal Capital Territory and four clubs
    Notable Scrabble Clubs that are competing in this year’s edition of the NSF Inter Club Championship is led by the dreaded UNILAG Scrabble Club captained by current African Scrabble champion Enoch Nwali. Recently crowned West African Scrabble King, Oluwatimilehin Doko is another heavy weight in the team.
    The winner of the second edition of Scrabble in the Jungle, Musa Lateef, African U-19 champion and runner up of Scrabble in the Jungle, David Ojih, Kareem Jamiu, Babajide Alagbada and Grace Jompe completes the UNILAG SC crack squad .
    Other clubs:
    ★ APEX SC
    ★ YENAGOA SC
    ★ EGBIN SC
    ★ IKORODUN SC
    ★ NIGERIA POLICE SC
    ★ SUNSHINE SC
    ★ BENIN SC team A and B
    ★ PYRAMID SC
    ★ SAPELE SC
    ★ SURULERE SC
    ★ IBADAN SC
    ★ JOS SC
    ★ SHELL SC
    ★ LEKKI SC
    ★ SOUTH SIDE SC
    ★ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
    ★ BSP SC
    ★ ASABA SC
    ★ CSCA SC team A, B and C
    ★ ANAMBRA SC
    ★ PORT HARCOURT SC
    ★ ALAUSA SC
    ★ WARRI SC
    ★ ABEOKUTA SC
    The Inter Club Championship is one of the four events lined up for this year’s NSF Scrabble Festival.
    The others are:
    .
    ★ Asaph Zadok National Championship
    ★ Annual General Meeting (AGM)
    ★ Awards and Gala Night
    Delta State are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, with Eta Paul Karo as the holder of the NSF Green Jacket 2023.
  • NSF president, Engineer Toke heaps praises on the Nigeria sporting media

    NSF president, Engineer Toke heaps praises on the Nigeria sporting media

    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, says all their sponsors, associates, partners, players including the media are their Sports Personality of the Year the 2023 and beyond.
    Aka gave this verdict in a chat with your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG while reviewing the activities of the Scrabble Federation in the last 12 months and also outlining their plans for 2024.
    “Without our numerous sponsors, associates, partners, players and the media, scrabble would not have flourished in the out going year and we are deeply grateful to them.” The Scrabble encyclopedia said.
    The NSF President says, “Our Grand Patron and Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Engineer Ojior Osikhena, Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi, Engineer Adowei, Dr. Mrs Winifred Awosika, Samuel Anikoh, Mohammed Abbas, Austin Isiekwe, Dr Musa Olasupo, Chrisland Schools, Adekoyejo Adegbesan the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President, Frontpage Couture, SM Quartey, Charles Uzamere, Abba Hydara and Haruna Adamu are some of the friends who helped in making the game of words thicker in 2023.”
    “The list of individuals and corporate bodies that have been backing scrabble over the years is pretty long, we at NSF appreciate you all, we cannot thank you enough. Our friends is the media, you are our backbone, thank you so very much and like Oliver Twist we shall keep asking for more.” He added.
    Aka, a former President of the Pan African Scrabble Association also heap praises on the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri who has opened his door to the scrabble fraternity in the last three years with the staging of the Douye Diri Bayelsa National Open Scrabble Championship.
    Aka, explained that over 99% of the 2023 Scrabble Championships, events within and outside the shores of Nigeria were carried out to the letter. “All the competitions in the NSF calendar were executed except the South South National Open Championship, Words and Wits Champion of Champions and South East Closed that failed to happen this year.”
    He noted that the Zadok National Championship, the NSF Inter Club Challenge, the NSF Annual General Meeting and the Awards and Gala Night that were the curtain raiser of the year changed the face of the game positively and it became the catalyst for other competitions throughout the year.
    That well attended four-in-one event that took place at the Bentley Hotel, Abuja saw Eta Karo become the new holder of the National Green Jacket, Warri Scrabble Club won the club title of the year while Delta State were crown State champions.
    “I’m very elated the a record number of players and States participated in the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State with 8 States registering their name on the medal table at the end of the Games, that for me is a massive boast for the game and it tells you that the future is very bright.“ Aka explained.
    “From the African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy Tour, the Championship it’s self, the PANASA President’s Cup (PPC), the West African Scrabble Championship (WASC), Nigeria and Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), were a near perfect hosts, all in attendance experienced unique memories that will leave with us and Africa forever. And like I said before, without these individuals and corporate bodies’ support as well as the media, the story will not be sweet to tell.”
    It’s interesting to mention that Team Nigeria won the AYSC, President’s Cup, the West African Scrabble Championship and came second at the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA despite the challenges the team faced before and during the championship with the funding and traveling arrangement.
    “We are looking forward to a bigger and better 2024 Scrabble Circuit and I hope more sponsors, associates and partners will come onboard and back project like the Inter Collegiate Championship among Universities, Polytechnic, Colleges of Education and other higher institutions of learning which is the future of scrabble in Nigeria.” Engineer Toke Aka stressed.
    Aka, went on to appeal to the ministry of sports to support the Federation and other sporting Federations financially and make strong and workable policies. He also called on other corperate bodies including well meaning individuals with deep pockets to show more love to scrabble and sport generally, stating that sport has the power to transform the economy positively.
     For your information, Engineer Toke Aka was re-elected as an executive member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), during it’s Congress this year an plus for the game of words and mind in Nigeria and the continent.
  • UNILAG 500-level undergraduate, Doko emerges West Africa Scrabble Champion

    UNILAG 500-level undergraduate, Doko emerges West Africa Scrabble Champion

    A 500-level undergraduate of the University of Lagos, UNILAG Doko Oluwatimilehin on Saturday emerged as the winner of the second edition of the West African Scrabble Championship, (WASC) which took place in Lagos.
    Doko, who missed the African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Zambia and the last World Scrabble Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada USA in July won 19 and lost nine rounds of games to garnered a cumulative spread of +1163 points.
    The pharmacy student of the University of Lagos had an impressive run at the three day Championship, he ended Day 1 on top of the log with 9 wins ahead of George Ezinore and Oluwatimilehin Doko and George Ezinore secured 15 wins each at the end of Day 2 but Ezinore had a better cumulative of plus 1243 points.
    At the start of the final Day of competition, Doko defeated his school mate, friend and current African Scrabble Champion Enoch Nwali 495-293 in game 23 on table 2 to set up a clash with George Ezinore at the start of the King of the Hill in game 24 on table 1 which Ezinore of Wordcraft Scrabble Club won by 439-431 sending the new kid on the throne to table 2.
    Former African Champion Nsikak Etim’s dream of sitting on table 1 was cut short by Doko 548-346 while Tega Okiemute send George Ezinore back to table 1 with a comfortable 496-454 wins. Doko took game 26, 555-457 but lost round 27 narrowly by 372-373. The final was quick and short as Oluwatimilehin Doko despatched Tega Okiemute 508-418 to win the $2000 cash prize.
    Moses Peter a former African King came second after beating George Ezinore 507-418 to amass 18 wins just like Tega Okiemute but Moses Peter went home with the $1000 because of a higher cumulative of+1351 points.
    Team Nigeria, at the end of the championship asserted its dominance as the powerhouse of Scrabble game in Africa as its players occupied the first to the ninth positions.
    The players include Okiemute Tega, Karo Eta, Nwali Enoch, Ezinnore George, Odoh Anthony, Etim Nsitak and Victor Godwin, occupying the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh positions respectively.
    The Gambia’s Richard Sock finished in the tenth position to receive a $100 cash prize earmarked for the top ten.
    Charles Tachie-Menson was the best Ghanaian at number 12 at the end of the grueling competition
    Nigeria emerged as the winner of the team event claiming $1500 cash prize while The Gambia finished as the second position and gets$1000 while came third and pocket$500.
    Elated by his feat, Doko admitted that his victory was not a stroll in the pack, saying that it has been a herculean task to combine academics and sports together.
    “It is very thrilling to win this tournament. I feel elated really, it is a dream come true. I just want to keep improving my game.
    “Schooling and playing Scrabble have been tough. I have missed out on many tournaments I could have loved to play because of school but I think it is possible to balance both if one has good time management,” he said.
    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Toke Aka attributed the emergence of young ones like African Scrabble Champion; Enoch Nwali and Doko Oluwatimilehin entrenching their names as rising stars in the continent to developmental plans of the federation.
    “Then they used to have a scrabble game where secondary schools meet and winners emerge. Nwali Enoch and Doko Oluwatimilehin are a product of that tournament.
    “They went through all of that, that was like 10 years ago when they started, today they are winning, it is not because they started today. They started a long time ago and we are beginning to see the result of what they started a long year ago,”he said.
    The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh represented by the ministry’s Lagos state Liaison Officer, Ikhana Mbora appreciated the effort of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF for hosting the West African Championship.
    “We are impressed with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, NSF. I am not surprised by what we are seeing, owing to the fact that we are bringing all the countries to Nigeria to participate. I want to thank you all for coming,” he said.
  • A broadcasting colossus and an encyclopedia has fallen – NSF President Engineer Toke Aka

    A broadcasting colossus and an encyclopedia has fallen – NSF President Engineer Toke Aka

    “The sporting industry in general and the broadcasting sector in particular has lost one of its illustrious personality. We watched and listened to him in admiration and respect.”

    These are the words of the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer Toke Aka in describing the late journalist Ignatius Ikechukwu Ajonuma who died on Saturday November 4, 2023.

    Aka went on to state that; “We admired him with grace and imitated his resilience with honour. Whether direct or indirect, his influence was overwhelming. His knowledge of sport was deep, and his passion as well as his zeal can not be over emphasized. His commentaries and analysis were profound, and his voice was eclectic. We shall always cherish the memories of him on radio and TV appearances.”

    The Scrabble Federation boss expresses his profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the family of Ignatius Ikechukwu Ajonuma, Daar Communications PLC, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the entire Nigeria sporting fraternity as a result of the death of one of Nigeria’s most outstanding journalists and media personalities.

    Despite his challenges, Ajonuma spent the last two and a half decades in sports journalism gracefully and with style.

    “We at the Nigeria Scrabble Federation are deeply saddened by the news of Ignatius Ajonuma’s death. We shall miss him dearly.” Aka said.

    Engineer Toke Aka added that “Ignatius Ajonuma’s contributions to reportage and coverage of the game of words in Nigeria and the World will live beyond his existence on earth.

    The NSF President also share some consoling words and tribute to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), especially its Lagos chapter where Ajonuma was an active member before his death on Saturday November 4, 2023.

  • Nigeria is ready to host the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship – NSF boss, Toke Aka

    Nigeria is ready to host the second edition of West Africa Scrabble Championship – NSF boss, Toke Aka

    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer, Chief Toke Aka, says they are ready to host a befitting second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC) later this year.
    Aka told your authoritative Scrabble News Channel that (NSF) is working hand in hand with the Scrabble Associations of Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone for a hitch free event.
    Seventy five wordsmith from five countries are expected to compete for honours at the championship which was last won by Eta Karo in the individual category and Team Nigeria in the team event.
    We understand that Abuja is likely to host the competition scheduled to hold in the month of November and the Nigeria Scrabble Federation has set in motion plans for a memorable Championship.
    The federal capital city may have got the nod to host the regional tournament because of its strategic importance, location, excellent hotel facilities, strong government presence and sporting culture.
    The 28 rounds of games competition is open for sponsorship and Chukwudi Ehibudu, who heads the marketing drive of NSF says, about fifty million naira will be needed to stage the event.
    We gathered that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Championship will be announced by the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Engineer Toke Aka, who is the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) early next month.
    Engineer Toke Aka, explained that, the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), is one of the major events in the calendar of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF).
    At the first edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship in Accra the Ghanaian capital, Nigeria’s Eta Karo, took the top prize with 21 wins from 28 games and a cumulative of plus 1,357 points.
    Enoch Nwali, another Nigerian came second with 19 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,190 points ahead of Wellington Jighere a former World and two time African Champion who recorded 18 wins and a cumulative of plus 1,020.
    Nine Nigerians were among the top ten at the close of the Championship.
    The New Kid on block Doko Oluwatimilehin now a 400 level pharmacy student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who made his first major outing for the national team came an impressive fifth in 40 man strong field.
    The best Ghanaian player at the competition Charles Tachie-Menson came tenth with 15 wins and draw with plus 611 cumulative and a year later he went ahead to have an impressive run at the WESPA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA where he finished among the top ten players at number 8.
    The team event crown went to Team Nigeria while Sierra Leone came second ahead of The Gambia and host Ghana.
    This was the top ten table after three days of gruelling jamming sessions that was laced with upsets in each of the 28 rounds.
    1. Eta Karo
    21 wins and +1,357 pts
    2. Enoch Nwali
    19 wins and +1,190 pts
    3. Wellington Jighere
    18 wins and +1020 pts
    4. Nsikak Etim
    18 wins and +930 pts
    5. Doko Oluwatimilehin
    17 wins and +837 pts
    6. Ehibudu Chukwudi
    17 wins and +411 pts
    7. Olatunde Oduwole
    17 wins and +317 pts
    8. George Ezinore
    16 wins and +507 pts
    9. Emmanuel Ofidi
    16 wins and +236 pts
    10. Charles Tachie-Menson
    15½ and +611 pts
    Due to lack of funds Nigeria’s team to Ghana travelled by road. Team Nigeria standing.
    Eta Paul Karo (1)
    Enoch Tochukwu Nwali (2)
    Wellington Jighere (3)
    Nsikakabasi Solomon Etim (4)
    Doko Oluwatimilehin (5)
    Chukwudi Ehibudu (6)
    Olatunde Oduwole (7)
    George Ezinore (8)
    Emmanuel Ofidi (9)
    Emmanuel Umujose (11)
    Dipo Akanbi (12)
    John Curtis (13)
    Oshevire Avwenagha (14)
    Jack Mpakaboari (22)
    Daystar Atti (25)
  • Senate President hosts Nigeria Scrabble Federation

    Senate President hosts Nigeria Scrabble Federation

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday charged members of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation to make the country proud by winning the World Scrabble Championship coming up in Las Vegas, United States of America.

    Akpabio, who is also the Grand Patron of the Federation gave the charge while playing host to members of the federation in his office. He also bid the National Scrabble team farewell to this year’s World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPAC)

    He charged them to do the country proud by repeating the feat of 2015 which saw them emerge the world champions.

    The team is expected to depart Nigeria on Wednesday to be part in the World Championship.

    It would be recalled that the federation in 2015, won the World Scrabble Championship both Individual competition and Country. It also retained the trophy in 2017 and 2019.

    Signed:

    Media Unit
    Office of the President of the Senate.