Enoch Nwali the 2022 Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament winner is a player whose personality doesn’t reveal the the word bags of dynamite that dwells with him as a dynamic word -warrior.
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 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.
Tayo Ogunseye who has been in the fore-front of reporting the game goes behind the calm mien of this scrabble star who has been leading the charge for a new order to reveal who Enoch Nwali is this exclusive interview ahead of the tournament, the EEAST.
Question: Who is Enoch Nwali?
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.
Question: How was growing up like for you?
Enoch Nwali: It was pretty normal like that of every other boy child, I loved reading story books and playing football.
Question: How were you introduced to scrabble?
Enoch Nwali: 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).
Question: Are you the only boy in your family, what’s your position? How many are you?
Enoch Nwali: I’m the first of 5 children, I have a brother and three sisters.
Question: Does any one of them play Scrabble too?
Enoch Nwali: No, none of them do.
Question: Were your parents comfortable with the time-consuming attribute of Scrabble?
Enoch Nwali: They weren’t at first but they came to appreciate it later.
Question: Can you remember a particular time?
Enoch Nwali: I can’t exactly but it was when I started winning tournaments.
Question: How do you mean?
Enoch Nwali: They appreciated my efforts and investments into the game when they started seeing me get some remunerations from it.
Question: Who got your first board for you?
Enoch Nwali: We(Wonderful Lord College) got a board as part of our prizes at an event organized by Lagos State.
Question: What did you do with your first winnings?
Enoch Nwali: Invest in myself, give my loved ones gift items or cash, and save.
Question: What’s your best food?
Enoch Nwali: Anything rice.
Question: What’s your best car?
Enoch Nwali: BMW i4
Question: Now, let’s talk about competitive Scrabble. How many titles have you won?
Enoch Nwali: 1 major title (2022 African Championship)
4 National honours
Several local and statewide titles.
Question: Which is the first?
Enoch Nwali: First was an the opens category win in the Nigerian scrabble friends tournament in Abeokuta, 2015.
Question: Can you name some of these?
Enoch Nwali: 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.
Question: Before going into a game, what do you normally do?
Enoch Nwali: Get a clear mind rid of fear, regret from past game or tension.
Question: As the 2022 winner and a Scrabble super-player, what do you think is so special about the EEAST?
Enoch Nwali: 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.
Question: When you took the trophy home, how did your family receive it? Can you remember what your Dad and Mum said to you?
Enoch Nwali: They felt really proud of the accomplishments and said it was the start to greater things.
Question: Do you think players of your status are receiving the right attention & respect from the society after your several titles?
Enoch Nwali: 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.
Question: The fourth edition of the EEAST is happening soon, what is your target and what are your plans?
Enoch Nwali: 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.
Question:How do you think the sport can be developed further and make it more attractive?
Enoch Nwali: Developing scrabble further will involve creating more tournaments; local, regional, and international for both professionals, amateurs and
school children with regular broadcasts and streaming.
Thank you Enoch for your time.
Enoch Nwali: You’re welcome.
