Enoch Nwali the 2022 Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament winner is a player whose personality doesn’t reveal the world’s wordsmith.

The University of Lagos undergraduate is one of the brightest and most enterprising player of the mind game whose prowess has elevated him among the best in the world.

Currently, the African and national Scrabble Champion, Cohen or the “Drummer boy” as he’s fondly called by his inner circle has helped position Scrabble as an engaging game good for human development.

Jacob Ajom and Tayo Ogunseye goes behind the calm mien of this scrabble star who has been leading the charge for a new order to reveal who Enoch Nwali in this exclusive interview.

Who is Enoch Nwali?

A young man who is passionate about growth.

A final year student of the University of Lagos studying Health Education, also a top level scrabble player who sits at the 15th position in the world, 3rd in Nigeria and Africa.

How was growing up like for you?

It was pretty normal like that of every other boy child, I loved reading story books and playing football.

How were you introduced to Scrabble?

In my alma mater (Wonderful Lord College), our then principal, Mr. Danso introduced the game to some of the bright minds ahead of a competition coming up for schools at the time(SCRABBULYMPICS).

Are you the only boy in your family, what’s your position? How many are you?

I’m the first of 5 children, I have a brother and three sisters.

Does any one of them play Scrabble too?

No, none of them do.

Were your parents comfortable with the time-consuming attribute of Scrabble?

They weren’t at first but they came to appreciate it later.

Can you remember a particular time?

I can’t exactly but it was when I started winning tournaments.

How do you mean?

They appreciated my efforts and investments into the game when they started seeing me get some remunerations from it.

Who got your first board for you?

We(Wonderful Lord College) got a board as part of our prizes at an event organized by Lagos State.

What did you do with your first winnings?

Invest in myself, give my loved ones gift items or cash, and save.

What’s your best food?

Anything rice.

What’s your best car?

BMW i4

Now, let’s talk about competitive Scrabble. How many titles have you won?

I major title (2022 African Championship). 4 National honours. Several local and statewide titles.

Which is the first?

First was an the opens category win in the Nigerian Scrabble Friends tournament in Abeokuta, 2015.

Can you name some of these?

Winner, Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament, June 2022

Lekki Classics, 2018

1st Runner up, Asaph Zadok 2023

Winner, Lekki Scrabble Classics October 2023

Winner, Gov. Douye Diri Nationals 2023

Winner, Pyramid Club Mega retreat, May 2022

Winner, Pyramid Club Mega retreat June, 2022

Ist runner up, Kano Nationals 2019.

Winner, Sip n’ Shop 2018

Silver medallist, Intermediate category Abuja 2018.

Before going into a game, what do you normally do?

Get a clear mind rid of fear, regret from past game or tension.

As the 2022 winner and a Scrabble super-player, what do you think is so special about the EEAST?

The brand itself, EEAST.

It has a way of bringing stars to the limelight and making the top their home.

I won it in 2022 and went ahead to win the African championship.

Same thing with last year’s winners in both masters and intermediate divisions.

When you took the trophy home, how did your family receive it? Can you remember what your Dad and Mum said to you?

They felt really proud of the accomplishments and said it was the start to greater things.

Do you think players of your status are receiving the right attention & respect from the society after your several titles?

I don’t think scrabble stars in Nigeria get enough attention seeing that they put the nation in the map as the best playing nation in the world.

The fourth edition of the EEAST is happening soon, what is your target and what are your plans?

My target is to podium as one of the top 3 finishers.

I plan to do a thorough revision of my word study and play several games before the event.

How do you think the sport can be developed further and make it more attractive?

Developing scrabble further will involve creating more tournaments; local, regional, and international for both professionals, amateurs and school children with regular broadcasts and streaming.

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