The Elder Statesman who was pictured at Nigeria's National Conference playing Scrabble on his Laptop has been identified and has responded to the criticisms of the numerous blogs and online media that reported the story and their readers who condemned him.
The Elder Statesman is University administrator and academician - Professor Oyewale Tomori, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ogun State.
Trumpet Media Group sensing that numerous reports had jumped into conclusion by not considering all the possibilities, published the picture with the caption: 'Does anyone have a name for him?' - with a view to hearing his side of things.
Professor Tomori responded to Trumpet Media Group's report by posting his response on our website.
Below is his response:
"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.
He holds Doctor of Vet Medicine: (DVM) 1971; Certificate in Immunology 1973; and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Virology) 1976 degrees.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (1991), Royal College of Pathologists UK (1992), and the Nigerian College of Veterinary Surgeons (1994).
He has played a pivotal role in the prevention and control of exotic and emerging diseases: (Lassa fever, yellow fever, Ebola etc) in several African countries- Nigeria, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia etc).
He established Africa’s regional network of laboratories for poliovirus diagnosis in support of global polio eradication initiative and has published over 100 scientific papers on various aspects of virology (public health & laboratory diagnosis, etc).
He is a 2002 recipient of Nigeria National Order of Merit, the country’s highest and prestigious award for academic and intellectual attainment, in outstanding service to national development. (One of less than 100 recipients since the award was instituted in 1979).
Other awards he holds include US Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Certificate for contribution to Lassa Fever Research; and the Nigerian Ministry of Science & Technology Merit Award for excellence in medical research.
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