On a day four states from the north fell in the battle, Master Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje excelled for NTIC Boys High School, Kano, Kano State in the on-going Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show.
After two preliminary rounds, Abdullahi picked a semi-final ticket for his school, and the first from any state in the North in this competition.
Maje a 13 year-old JSS 3 student engaged Efosa Osagiede of Obafemi Awolowo University International School, Ile Ife; Nyemike Atoh of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja; Glory Okoli of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State; Victor Mgbemena of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Muhammad Hasimu of Government Junior Day Secondary School, Dangikka Bakaro, Bauchi, Bauchi State.
Maje who scored 97 percent in the qualifying examination to emerge as the State representative, joined Okoli who scored 98 percent, in the semi-finals.
Maje, a first timer in Lagos and in the competition, was upbeat about his performance and promised to maintain the momentum till the final. “I want to excel and win the ultimate prize. The competition is a good experience for me. Winning it will be a fantastic achievement for me and my school. My parents and my teacher will be very happy, even my State governor too,” he said.
While Maje excelled for his state, Ogun State also put up a star performance by picking up the remaining three semi-final tickets for the day, through Ambassadors College, Ota.
Apart from Okoli who qualified in the junior category, Blessing Udoh and Ayooluwa Oguntade also cruised past the first and second preliminary rounds to secure a semi-final berth. The duo flew above Akinola Adebisi of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State; Nator Verinumbe of ECWA Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue State; Stephen Ejembi of Blue Crescent School, Sokoto, Sokoto State; and Abdulsamad Abduganiyu of Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State.
Udo and Oguntade dedicated their success to their teachers and pledge to sustain the tempo to the finals. “We have gone past two stages; two more to go before the crown. It will be good for us to be in the finals and for one of us to win the ultimate prize,” Udo said.
Oguntade added that he is looking forward to wining the competition and promised to work more on his speed before the next stage. “I pray I win. That will be lovely. My mummy will love it. She has been praying hard for me,” he said.
The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is One million naira and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country. The teacher of the winning students will receive Four hundred thousand naira.
The airing of the programme continues this weekend on AIT Network, Saturday, 7pm; NTA Onitsha, Sunday, 5pm; STV Jos, Sunday, 5pm; NTA Kano, Saturday, 2pm; and DSTV Channel 154 on Saturday, 9pm.
Modupe Gbadeyanka