In a trilling, but energy-sapping mental duel last weekend, representatives of Lagos and Ogun States shrugged off all challenges to emerge victorious in the finals of season 5 of the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
In an electrifying final battle of the Junior category, Michael Enehizena of The Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State put the crown beyond the reach of his fellow contestants by garnering 125 points at the end of the two-round encounter.
Enehizena who also had a perfect score in the qualifying examination in March, pushed Abdul-Quayum Alli, of Ota Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State, who had 115 points and David Charles of Graceland International Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who scored 110 points to the second and third place respectively.
Ebube Okafor of Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos State and Alonge Esmond of The Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State had earlier crashed out after the first 12 questions in the first round, while Ernest Ofoama of Makurdi International School, Makurdi, Benue State, fell after a tie-breaker at the end of first round.
The 14-year old Enehizena who dedicated his victory to God and his parents explained that he ‘practiced hard and prayed harder’ during the competition. “I am always very excited with the way the Cowbellpedia winners are celebrated. We see them on television screen and read about them and their schools in the papers and online. I am excited and grateful to God that it is my turn to be celebrated now,” Enehizena who aspires to study Mechanical Engineering told journalists outside the studio.
His teacher, Daniel Ogunleye commended him for his wonderful performance and commended Promasidor for exposing his great talent through the Cowbellpedia initiative.
The Senior category contest was equally exhilarating as Oghenero Ologe of Zionfield Pinnacle School, Ikorodu, Lagos State took the crown at the expense of Akinyemi Dabira of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State and Hezekiah Olabisi of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun who emerged first and second runner-up respectively.
Three other contestants: Onyeka Madumere of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State; Gift Omoelegbehan of Crescent International School, also in Ota, Ogun State and Famuyiwa Henry of Model Secondary School Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State fell to superior firepower at the end of the first round.
An excited Ologe told journalists outside the studio that “it is nice and wonderful to be the champion.” A first timer in the Cowbellpedia Competition, Ologe revealed that he watched many episodes of the competition to sharpen his preparation ahead of the contest. “I did not participate in the Junior edition, but I was determined to make an impact and so, I practiced hard,” the 15-year old said.
For their efforts, the two champions got N2 million each and an all-expense paid education excursion outside the country.
The first and second runners-up in each category received N1.5 million and N1 million respectively, while the teachers of the top prize winners were awarded N500, 000. Those of the first and second runners-up received N400, 000 and N300, 000 respectively.
In his chat with journalists at the event, Managing Director of Promasidor Nigerian Limited, Mr Einarsson Anderson reiterated the commitment of the company towards education, saying it is the most important investment for the future of the children of Nigeria.
He saluted the finalists for their excellent performance while also assuring that Promasidor will continue to support the academic development of Nigerian children.
