…as Cowbell Maths winners emerge

BY DAYO ADESULU

Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike has asserted that a solid foundation in Mathematics can help Nigeria realise its dream of becoming a technological giant in the comity of nations.

2014 Cowbell Mathematics winners in junior and senior categories

He said: “Nigeria’s realisation of its dream of being a technological giant depends on the solid base we lay today in Mathematics, the foundation of all sciences and everything in life.”

Wike who spoke through the Federal Inspectorate Service Officer, Mrs. Chioma Philips at Uyo  during the 2014 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition prize-giving ceremony noted that for any student to do well in sciences, such must have a solid foundation in Mathematics. According to him, the Cowbell Mathematics competition has helped in re-awakening students’ consciousness and interest in the subject.

Presenting the 20 winners to the world, Wike lauded Promasidor Nigeria Limited for its effort in demystifying Mathematics thereby helping to improve the quality of education in Nigeria. “I call on other stakeholders to take a cue from Promasidor.”

The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr Olivier Thiry stated that for Nigeria to remain competitive and relevant in the comity of nations, it is required to develop and nurture its human capital to meet challenges and the nations it influences. He pointed out that transformational development will come from the quality of human capital Nigeria has, adding; “this can only be developed through education, especially the learning of Mathematics and science.

“The world faces numerous challenges in the 21st Century especially in this era of digital revolution and rapid globalization.” To this end, he added that Nigeria as a nation no longer competes with other African nations alone, but with all other nations across the world.

He asserted that because Promasidor believes in the future of Nigeria, it will continue to support the academic development of the Nigerian youth. “For the top 10 winners of this year’s competition who desire to continue to study Maths at the university level, Promasidor is willing to assist in their education. We have also made special effort to encourage our girls to increase their participation across the country,” he promised.

Meanwhile, the duo of Master Akintokun Adegboyega  and Miss Adesina Deborah emerged first in senior and junior category respectively. While Adegboyega is from Ota Total Academy Afobaje, Estate, Ogun State, Deborah represented Graceland International School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  Adegboyega, a 13-year-old, scored 87 per cent to beat nine other contestants in the senior category. Incidentally, this same boy also came first in 2012 in the Junior category.

In the case of Deborah who emerged first in the junior category, she will immediately proceed to Ghana on a sponsored vacation. She beat other nine contestants by scoring 81 per cent.
He said: “While I was in  Junior school, I won the Cowbell junior category in 2012,   and I am glad winning it again in the senior category. I have been training myself since JSS1 for the Cowbell competitions.