By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Representatives of Ogun, Osun, Abia States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have made it to the semi-final stage of the on-going 2017 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand from Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
In the preliminary group 8 contest last weekend, Chukelu Egboka of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja and Joel Ndoh of Marist Brothers Juniorate Aba, Abia State displayed great skills and scaled the hurdle in the Junior category.
The duo edged past Charles Abasiofon of Rayfield International Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom; Obichukwu Enibe of University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, Enugu State; Harry Biobele of Access High School, Calabar, Cross River State and Michael Simon of Air Force Comprehensive School, Yola, Adamawa State.
Ndoh thanked Cowbell and Promasidor for the “good work and encouragement given to students across the country.” The 14-year-old, who scored 96 percent in the qualifying examination, disclosed that his expectation was to get to the final and win the prize. “My expectation is to get to the final and win, though I don’t know what to do with the money yet,” he said.
Egboka, who is participating in the competition for the first time, also hopes to win the ultimate prize. “My expectation is to win. And if I win, I will take my family out for a special dinner and save the rest of the money,” he told newsmen outside the studio in Lagos last week.
In the Senior category, Favour Abusomwan of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State and Blessing Olaleye of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State also crossed the hurdles into the semi-finals.
They eliminated Akanyo Ebipade of Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State and Oreoluwa Arosanyin of Chapel Secondary School, Ilorin Kwara State. Others who did not make it were Saudat Ayuba of Kunatu Science Academy, Kano, Kano State and Samson Madamidola of Global Kids Academy, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
The ultimate prize in the Senior and Junior categories is N1 million each and an all-expense-paid educational excursion outside the country. The first and second runners-up for each category will go home with N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.
Each teacher of the 2017 champions will be awarded N400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will receive N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. Also, the winning schools will be rewarded with Mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.
The 2017 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematic TV Quiz continues this weekend. It will be aired to millions of viewers on DSTv Africa Magic Family Channel, AITNetwork and other six television stations across the country.
Parents and stakeholders in the education sector have also lauded Promasidor Nigeria for bankrolling the initiative which is aimed at discovering as well as celebrating young scientists and future inventors in the country.
