Buhari hails Nigeria’s world scrabble champion, Falconets
President Muhammadu Buhari was on the
phone early Sunday evening to Perth,
Australia, felicitating with a Nigerian who has
emerged World Scrabble Champion, the first
ever from Africa.
Wellington Jighere, 36, defeated Lewis
Mackay of Cambridge, England, by 448
points to 426 to win the championship
which was competed for by 450 players
from around the world.
“I call to rejoice with you over your
performance. You have done the country
proud, and we are very happy. Please,
pass my congratulations to other
members of Team Nigeria,” President
Buhari told Jighere.
Jighere was delighted at the phone call
from the President, and pledged to bring
more glory to his fatherland.
The five other Nigerian representatives
finished in the top 50 scrabble players in
the world bracket.
Shortly after President Buhari got off the
phone, news got to him that the
Under-20 female football team, the
Falconets, had qualified for the Women’s
World Cup Tournament after beating the
Basetsana of South Africa by a lone goal
in an away game.
The Falconets had walked a tightrope
after scraping just a 2-1 win over South
Africa in Nigeria two weeks ago.
With the away goals counting double
rule, all that South Africa needed today
was a single goal, but the Nigerian girls
turned the table.
“This is a clear case of the indomitable
Nigerian spirit. Such will soon be evident
in all aspects of our national life,”
President Buhari said.
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