The Nation

Nigerians hail Jighere’s feat at World Scrabble Championship

November 9, 2015 1:57 pm

Nigerians have been congratulating countryman Wellington Jighere, who has become the first African to win the English-language World Scrabble Championship.

The 32-year-old beat 129 competitors to win the World English-language Scrabble Players’ Association championship on Sunday, defeating Englishman Lewis MacKay with four straight wins in the best-of-seven final round.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was among those to congratulate him, saying he has “done the country proud”.

Former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, was also elated by the achievement. Well, triple achievements!

Congratulations Wellington Jighere, Africa's first World Scrabble Champion; and our U20 Female Football team who qualified for the World Cup

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) November 9, 2015

A sports journalist was not left behind.

Great sporting weekend it was for me. The Eaglets won the FIFA U-17 World title, Wellington Jighere became… https://t.co/lZagkcVxWC

— Nnamdi Okosieme (@Okoz) November 9, 2015

The next one would win gold in World Pun Championship.

Buhari’s Sporting Goodluck Continues: Congratulates Wellington Jighere, First Ever African… https://t.co/4wApiCq0E7 pic.twitter.com/KoBR1v86mZ

— MuDu (@jidesalu) November 9, 2015

And the retweet?

‘YOU HAVE DONE NIGERIA PROUD’, BUHARI TO WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPION, WELLINGTON JIGHERE https://t.co/34xC6IK2nZ
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— mc senator (@iam_mcsenator) November 8, 2015

Jighere and five other members of the Nigerian team only arrived in Australia the day before the tournament started, so had little chance to get over the 20-hour flight or the seven-hour time difference.

Speaking to Guardian Australia after his win, Jighere said he did fatigue training to mitigate the effects of jetlag, and forgo employment for the past four months to prepare for the championship.

But he showed humility despite the win.

“It is the first time that an African has won in these world championships so I have to go and celebrate with them,” he said.

“Nigel is still the master. It just happens that today was my day.”

Jighere, who will be coming home with a $10,000 (£6,600) prize, recently finished his national service following his graduation from university.