Sports engagement /sponsorship takes youths off the street and social vices – Engr. Osikhena

A key stakeholder and very passionate scrabble lover, Engineer Ojior Osikhena, says the game of scrabble and sports in general is one of the major vehicle to take the youths off the street and engage them meaningfully.

Ojior Osikhena a Civil Engineer made this submission at the weekend in Accra the Ghanaian capital during the ongoing African Games.

“Sports and scrabble in particular has the power to arrest the minds of our teeming youthful population, give them a platform to earn a living and equally take them off the street.”

The former Shell Petroleum manager stated that scrabble was what he and his friends as well as business associates used to take hundreds of young ones off the street and social vices.

“With the support of Shell and my well to do friends, we grew the game of words and turn Warri and the neighbouring towns and cities into Nigeria’s Scrabble hub and Warri eventually produced the first African world scrabble champion in the person of Wellington Jighere.” Ojior Osikhena stated.

Currently, Ojior Osikhena who is a Permanente Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Planning in Edo State stressed that he will continue to support the game of Scrabble at all levels in Nigeria and on the continent.

“I’m eagerly waiting and looking forward to a time in Nigeria and the continent when major corporate bodies will identify with scrabble and support it fully.” He added.

Engineer Ojior Osikhena explained that his love and passion for scrabble was ignited while in the University by first Nigeria Scrabble Grand Master, Azu Ogbogu.

Besides supporting and sponsoring scrabble, the kind hearted Ojior Osikhena has helped in financing the education and careers of many young Nigerians in different part of the country.

At the ongoing African Games in Ghana Engineer Ojior Osikhena rewarded handsomely one of the finest and most accomplished scrabble amazon Tuoyo Mayuku for her unbeaten run in the team event won by Nigeria.

“My happiness and joy increases when ever I see the players and the game of scrabble blossom and when the players excel, you just have to acknowledge it and encourage them.” The winner of the 2021 veteran category of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship stressed.

Despite his very demanding and busy working schedule, the Edo State born Engineer and sports administrator regularly graces all major national and international championships that also enjoys and benefits from his kind and large heart.

It will interest you to know that the third prize trophy of the Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA President’s Cup 2023 was named after Engineer Ojior Osikhena because of his huge contribution to the mind game in Africa.