Co-convener of The Omniverse Africa, Mr Charles Emembolu, has reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to championing excellence within the gaming sector, noting that gaming is no longer just a hobby but a profession, a sport, and a gateway to honing valuable skills that are handsomely rewarded.
Emembolu made this statement at the award event, celebrating the champions of its Gaming Tournament, which began at the Omniverse Summit held in February this year. He pointed out that the N5 million investment in the tournament underscores the company’s “relentless dedication to championing excellence within the gaming sector.”
In attendance were top executives from the Omniverse’s partner organizations, including GIZ Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, Innovation Support Network, Afrilabs, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), British Deputy High Commission, Pop Central TV, Game Eva, among others.
The ceremony, which solidified The Omniverse Africa’s commitment to empowering and recognizing talented esports athletes, marked the culmination of a fierce competition that saw over 7,000 passionate gamers vie for glory across seven different titles, with a staggering N5 million prize pool distributed among 32 champions.
According to him, esports epitomizes intellectual prowess, requiring strategic acumen, lightning-fast reflexes, and unparalleled teamwork, virtues fervently championed and celebrated by The Omniverse Africa. He further highlighted the industry’s potential to contribute to the nation’s economic growth by attracting foreign investments.
“This N5 million investment underscores our relentless dedication to championing excellence within the gaming sector. Esports epitomizes intellectual prowess, requiring strategic acumen, lightning-fast reflexes, and unparalleled teamwork – virtues we fervently champion and celebrate.
“Gaming is no longer just a hobby; it’s a profession, a sport, and a gateway to honing valuable skills that are handsomely rewarded.
“Beyond the tournament prize money, gamers have the potential to earn through in-game tokens and coins. But more importantly, the industry is a significant job creator, with annual revenue exceeding $400 million,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Game Evolution Technologies, Mr. Kunmi Adenipebi, urged parents to see gaming for what it truly is, declaring it a gateway to education and intellectual stimulation, which he said could be incredibly valuable when well-balanced.
Adenipebi emphasized the explosive growth of mobile gaming in Nigeria, with over a million new gamers joining the ranks since 2019, saying this development pointed towards a promising future for esports, fueled by private sector investment in tournaments, teams, and coaching initiatives.
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“We urge parents to see gaming for what it truly is: A gateway to education and intellectual stimulation. When balanced, gaming can be incredibly valuable.
“In fact, 90 percent of professional gamers excel academically, proving that gaming doesn’t hinder academic success,” he said.
“The esports industry presents a vast career landscape for the next generation,” he declared.
Regarding the need for bridging the gap between gaming and education, Adenipebi emphasized the need for balance, unveiling the concept of gamification in education.
“We’re introducing engaging educational games that leverage the power of gaming mechanics to spark interest in subjects like Mathematics, English, and Geography. This allows young gamers to learn while they play, striking a perfect balance,” he explained.
