Godswill Akpabio
The fears that the world-acclaimed Godswill Akpabio International
Scrabble Classics will suffer when the sponsor leaves office as governor
of Akwa Ibom State has been allayed.
A member of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Board and Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, Paul Bassey, said in Uyo yesterday that Akpabio did not sponsor scrabble because he was in office.
“He did so because he plays the game. His Excellency is Scrabble crazy. Right from his days in school, scrabble was his passion. So whether he is in office or not scrabble will always be his love and he will do anything within his capacity to sustain it,” observed the veteran sports journalist.
In his remarks during the gala night marking the end of the 8th edition of the competition in Uyo, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Scrabble Federation, Mr Ufot Ebong, sustained the view when he said that “Two years ago, in one of our gala nights, Governor Akpabio emphasised that the classics will continue whether he was in office or not.
“It is our duty to ensure that structures are put in place to guarantee sustenance. We are working hard to ensure continuation of this event. As we speak, we are planning to institute a foundation where corporate bodies and individuals will key in, partner us to make sure that funds are set aside to be managed by a board of trustees.
“Also at an advanced stage is our plan to build a multi-functional Scrabble House complex here in Uyo that will help to generate funds all round the year to help sustain the Governor Akpabio’s initiative,” he stressed.
Akpabio at this year’s closing ceremony described scrabble as a game that encourages intellectualism and has the potential to turn its devoted and diligent players to Shakespeare of our time.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Valerie Ebe, the governor said that a rich bank of words will create a reading appeal and reading will open vistas for knowledge. “It is a game that nurtures the mind, deepens thinking and helps to promote the search for knowledge.”
He also credited scrabble as contributing to the success of his governance. “Let me state that my knowledge and active participation in scrabble have been of great benefit to me. My early romance with scrabble helped my development of insight on a range of issues. It is this wealth of insight that I have brought to bear in steering the affairs of Akwa Ibom these past seven plus years.”
World champion, Nigel Richards, won this year’s event carting away the Grand Masters prize of $20,000 dollars, (about N3.3m)
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