It was a mixed feeling in the first preliminary round of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz show aired on major TV stations last weekend.
Favour Okeke of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, FCT and Emmanuel Igban of Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State triumphed over their counterparts to proceed to the semi-final stage of the junior category.
Ayomide Ajayi of Bibo-Oluwa Academy Ilesa, Osun State; Ugozuchuwu Offor of University of Nigeria Secondary School, Enugu Campus, Enugu; Divine Uzagu of Federal Government College, Okposi, and Praise Isinkaye of Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State did not make it to the semi-final after both rounds of the preliminary stage.
Igban and Okeke jumped for joy and embraced their teachers as they expressed confidence in their ability to get to the final and win the ultimate prize. Isinkaye, the only female student in the group was emotional about her exit, but promised to do better next time.
In the senior category, Adegoke Aromolaran of Bibo-Oluwa Academy Ilesa, Osun State and Kenneth Nwagu of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State crossed to the semi-final stage of the competition. Aromolaran had a perfect score in the Stage 1 qualifying exam, while Nwagu scored 93 per cent.
The duo however tied on 110- points in the second round to knock out Redemption Adebayo of Model Secondary School, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State; Ayomide Ajewole of Bibo-Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun Sate; Theophilus Nkwuda of Twelve Apostle College, Sharon, Ebonyi State; and Fortune Emmannuel-King of Word of Faith Schools, Benin City, Edo State.
Nkwuda, like Ajewole blamed their exit on nervousness and lack of speed, while promising to sharpen their skills for the future. “This is my first time, but my exit does not mean the end. I will surely be back and better,” Ajewole said.
Nwagu, while thanking God for his victory, promised to work more on his speed and number as he looks forward to an exciting semi-final duel. He also prays he wins the ultimate prize of one million naira, because “the money is very important to his family.”
Promasidor has also promised that the first and the second runners-up will go home with N750, 000 and N500, 000 respectively. There will also be plaques, mathematics textbooks and a desktop computer for the winners.
Parents and stakeholders in the education sector have also lauded Promasidor Nigeria Limited for investing in this initiative which is aimed at discovering and celebrating young scientists and future inventors in the country.
In the 2015 edition, students of Adeyemi Demonstration Secondary School, Ondo, Ondo state and Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja emerged winners. While Ayodeji Akinkuowo of Adeyemi Demonstration College won in the senior category, Munachi Ernest-Eze of Loyola Jesuit won in the junior category.
The ultimate prize for last year’s edition was N750,000, while the teacher of the winner went home with N250,000. The winning school got also got 5 computer units and printers.
