Nigerian attire inspired me, says African scrabble champion

Speaking last week in Abuja where he was received by the Minister of Sports, the final year crop science student of University of Benin said each time he remembered that he was putting on the Nigerian attire, he re-doubled his efforts to win so as to bring honour to the country. Jighere said before the […]

Speaking last week in Abuja where he was received by the Minister of Sports, the final year crop science student of University of Benin said each time he remembered that he was putting on the Nigerian attire, he re-doubled his efforts to win so as to bring honour to the country.

Jighere said before the championship, his performance wasn’t encouraging but at the competition proper, he re-discovered his winning formula and there was no stopping him.

He said although he had never doubted his abilities in the brain racking sports, he was not his usual self few days to the championship but God in his infinite grace provided him with the wisdom to conquer all opponents.

According to Jighere before the championship which held in Accra-Ghana,if he was told that he was going to retained his title, he would have doubted such optimism.

He said: “It was really tough but what inspired me to win was the Nigerian attire I put on throughout the championship. I felt I was carrying the hopes of over 150m Nigerians and the urge to win and make them proud continued to flash through my mind.

“I thank God that I did not let down my teeming fans. But to be honest, before the championship, my performance was not encouraging. I posted poor scores but at the championship proper, I re-discovered my form and that was all. I kept winning until I conquered all opponents to retain my title.

Jighere promised to keep doing his best for the country just as he called on the organized private sector to come to the aid of the game of scrabble in the country.

“Nigerian youths who have embraced scrabble as a game are doing quite well but they lack sponsorship. I want to use this forum to call on the organized private sector to come to the aid of scrabble”, he pleaded.

Jighere’s outstanding performance was rewarded with a cash donation of N200, 000.00 by the minister of sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa-Bio.