“It makes me think better” – National Conference delegate caught playing scrabble replies critics

The Custodian April 15, 2014

Last week, the photo of an elder statesman playing scrabble on his laptop at Nigeria’s National Conference playing Scrabble, trended on the social media – many Nigerians condemned the act and mocked him.

The delegate, identified as Professor Oyewale Tomori, a University administrator and academician, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ogun State, has now responded to his critics via a press statement below:

“Yes, indeed, I know the person, because I am the one. I have responded to some of the blogs on the matter. The truth is this activity was done during the lunch break between 2-4 pm. As soon as the Chairman calls the meeting to order, I switch off my computer.

Is there any rule against spending my free time as I like? Moreover, is there anything wrong, if others engage in reading newspapers and talking with others during their free time, and I prefer engaging in activities, I consider more useful to my development, such as using scrabble to improve my word power and discover new words?

Indeed, I often play against the best in the world, world champions, and I have been beaten many times. But in the process I learnt new words, their meanings and improve my written and spoken language.

Journalists live and sell their papers through the sensation route, which often is the opposite to telling the truth or providing full details. If the person who posted the picture had said the activity took place during the lunch break, that would have been no news; but to create sensation, he or she was economical with details.

I will certainly continue to play such other mind engaging games like Sudoku, Logic, etc, if only to make me a better thinker and presenter. Only thing, is I will do this at my own free time!

Thank you very much

– Oyewale Tomori

 Prof. Oyewale Tomori is a researcher and laboratory specialist who served from 1994-2004 as the Regional Virologist and Laboratory Coordinator in the World Health Organization (Africa Region) and is of wide ranging experience in virology, disease prevention and control, national capacity building and development in the African region.