Mount Olivet Grammar School, Bodija, Ibadan has emerged winner in the second edition of the quiz competition for secondary schools in Oyo State, organised by the Faculty of Applied Sciences of the Kola Daisi University, Ibadan KD-U.
The competition in which 21 public and private secondary schools participated had Deeper Life High School, Ibadan and Lariken International College, Ologuneru, Ibadan clinching second and third positions, respectively.
The quiz competition and science exhibition organised by the private institution is an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills in a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to learn from each other and build relationships with other students who share their passion for science and technology.
Adeniyi Olatubosun, a professor and vice-chancellor, KD-U who spoke at the event emphasised that education remains the bedrock of any nation’s development saying that “no country can become industrialised without science and technology.
“So, that is why, we need to start from the foundation, which is why the science exhibition and quiz competition is focusing on youths in the secondary schools because this will form the foundation for building up scientists and technologists that can drive the nation’s system.
Olatunbosun stated that Japan did the same thing between 1951 and 1953 by focusing on science promotion saying after 20 years, Japan became one of the most industrialised nations in the world.
According to him, “I believe the Nigerian government is also aspiring towards that by ensuring that 60 percent of students admitted into higher institutions are for science-oriented courses, that is the position of national policy on education now.
“We also in Kola Daisi University is enforcing that by giving preference to those doing science subjects, because that can actually bring the nation to advance in knowledge, skills and development.”
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The VC however, said that the quiz would showcase the knowledge acquired by the students at their various schools and promote their aspirations to become great scientists in Nigeria and abroad.
Olajumoke Morenikeji, a professor and dean, at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, KD-U, who emphasised the importance of education in attaining development, said the event provided an avenue to encourage and nurture young students in the appropriate careers path in preparing them for the emerging civilisation which the global future holds.
While saying that “this is one of our community service projects, which is in line with the university’s principles and culture, he added that the programme would provide an avenue to encourage and nurture the secondary students’ career path on their interests.
The dean further said that the exhibitions were evidence that the university’s curriculum was designed for practical applications to prepare students for the future and make them fit into industry upon graduation.
The competition sponsored by New Horizons Systems gave scholarships to six students who participated, United Bank for Africa (UBA) gave out gifts to the three secondary schools as well as account openings while the university has a scholarship package for the students, Faith Promise and Razaq Sulaimon of Mount Olivet Grammar School who came first in the quiz competition.
Olawale Adetu, registrar of the institution in a remark said the essence of the competition was to increase the academic culture of reading, learning, generational competition, self-confidence and comportment among pupils.
“This programme will facilitate academic and social networking among secondary students as well as healthy interaction and friendliness across boundaries, thereby building very strong social assets and values that are capable of bringing them into global prominence in life.”
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