By Chris Onuoha,

The Director General, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Professor Adewale Solarin has emphasized the need for student – teacher relationship, especially in Mathematics and Science subjects, in Nigerian primary and secondary Schools, to eliminate phobia.

Prof. Solarin who was special guest and chairman at the 2016 The Ultimate Mathematics Ambassador (TUMA) competition, held  in Ota, Ogun State, stressed that the phobia experienced by students in appreciating mathematics as a subject starts with the teacher. He disclosed that mathematics as a subject is very easy to understand when students are tutored with utmost care and love. He called on mathematics teachers to create seamless a relationship between themselves and their students.

In his keynote address, guest speaker, Prof. Agbede, Head, Civil Engineering Department, University of Ibadan, emphasized that mathematics is a language that is part of every facet of life. Drawing attention to vital points like thinking in numbers, reading in numbers and working in numbers both at home, office or in business.

Meanwhile, Emeka Ilozor, a Basic 5 pupil of Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos, emerged winner at the annual 2016 TUMA competition hosted by the Ambassadors Schools, Ota, Ogun State. Young Ilozor who scored 93.5 percent was overall best in a highly contested competition featuring 349 Basic Schools in South West region which saw 10 winners emerge with scores above 70 percent.

Ilozor was crowned the new king of Mathematics 2016,  as he received  125,000 Naira, a plaque,  as  his teacher got 50,000 naira, while the school was given a laptop, printer and textbooks.