The Bayelsa State Government is taking steps to introduce scrabble and chess into secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to improve students’ intellectual abilities.
The initiative was discussed when the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, led officials from his ministry to the Ministry of Education for a meeting with the Commissioner for Education, Emelah Gentle.
The meeting was aimed at working out how to establish the state’s first Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship. The plan is also expected to include chess, giving students opportunities to develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic decision-making.
The move followed a directive by Governor Douye Diri, who announced the proposed school-based scrabble programme during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
Speaking on the initiative, Igali said the Ministry of Sports Development was ready to work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the governor’s directive becomes a reality.
He said the programme would use a train-the-trainer system, under which coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council would first equip selected teachers with the necessary skills. The trained teachers would then pass the knowledge on to students and guide them in preparation for the championship.
Igali expressed optimism that the programme would help discover and develop young talents who could eventually represent Bayelsa and Nigeria at national and international competitions.
He said, “Today’s meeting is about developing a clear blueprint for the seamless implementation of His Excellency’s directive. The collaboration establishes a comprehensive roadmap that guarantees the smooth execution of that mandate.”
He added that the introduction of scrabble in schools could help Bayelsa discover more champions capable of competing at the highest levels.
The Education Commissioner, Gentle, praised the Sports Ministry for acting quickly on the governor’s directive.
She noted that Bayelsa had already established itself as a strong force in Nigerian school sports, particularly through its performances in secondary school basketball.
According to her, adding scrabble and chess to the school sports programme would create more opportunities for young people to develop their talents and further improve the state’s reputation in school sports.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Pereyi Efeke; Technical Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategic Communications, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada; Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Bibowei Lambert; Head of Sports Department, George Mark; and Assistant Director of Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Sports Development, Michael Alakere
