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Ebikeme Adowei opened up on life, career, and the future of Scrabble in Nigeria.
Ebikeme Adowei can be described as a man with a few words. His love and interest in nurturing Scrabble development by giving his most speaks volumes, even echoing beyond the shores of Nigeria.
His calm demeanor and unassuming disposition masked a massive force of desire, propelling his will to spread the word-and-number game across all levels horizontally and vertically even, diagonally.
Ebikeme who rose from a casual scrabble player and became a regular fixture at major tournaments has galvanised support for the good of the game by deploying his scarce personal resources. Little wonder, he commissioned a tournament after his late mother, Janet, who groomed the fertile ground where his interest in the game germinated.
"When she was alive and saw me playing Scrabble," he recalled, "she encouraged me, she was happy seeing that it made me happy." He reflected with nostalgia as he revealed the fondness he shared with the woman who gave him a push into a game many believed bears a bag full of useful life lessons.
Her demise birthed one of the most sought-after Scrabble championships which has now evolved from an invitational in 2020 into a full-blown tournament even attracting international players at the last edition.
"I'm sure my Mother is resting very well in her grave. May the good Lord rest her soul."Ebikeme confessed with an air of satisfaction.
"I'm sure she will be very glad wherever she is now" he emphasised.
Without looking back, Ebikeme has had over 15 years of competitive experience sharing tables with even some of the biggest names in the same hall.
"Scrabble gives a lot of joy and it's my biggest pastime. Gathering my friends to come together and honour my mother this way gives me so much satisfaction." He again revealed his motivation for the JAMSC after the conclusion of the 'Quadrennial Edition' in 2023.
With the 5th edition set for the third weekend of November at the Chevron Recreational Club Gbagada, Lagos, players will again, see the urge to converge for another rendezvous and compete across three categories over 18 rounds when more memories will be created at the memorial especially, with plenty prizes and 750,000 main cash prize to play for at the scrabble fiesta.
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