The National Examination Council, NECO and other stakeholders in the nation’s education sector have reiterated the need for greater support for mathematics education in Nigeria.
Acting Registrar of NECO, Abubakar Gana, explains that since Mathematics is central to the development of “human and nation’s capacity,” the subject deserves all the support from the public and private organisations.
Gana who was represented by Stephen Adebunmi at the 2019 finals of the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored Promasidor Nigeria Limited said the competition has a bundle of transparent engines and modalities that identify and nurture geniuses in the field of Mathematics.
Adebunmi commended Promasidor for providing “an excellent platform” to showcase these young Nigerian Mathematicians and future inventors.
While congratulating the winners, he also saluted the courage of the other finalists for the spirit of participation and sportsmanship. “All the finalists have crossed several hurdles to get to the finals, but the very best will wear the crown. Therefore all of you are winners, but the crown will go to the champions. That is the spirit of every competition,” he said.
Oladipo Olatunde, a teacher with The Ambassador College, Ota Ogun State also asserts that Mathematics education will soar higher with more support from individuals and corporate bodies and commended Promasidor for the Cowbellpedia initiative. This line was also toed by Saheed Ogunlaja, who teaches at Zionfield Pinnacle School, Lagos.
Alphonso Agboola, an Education/Curriculum Management Consultant, based in Lagos also added that Mathematics, as the base of all other subjects, deserve more support across board.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling Cowbellpedia Mathematics competition final encounter last weekend, Michael Enehizena of The Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State and Oghenero Ologe of Zionfield Pinnacle School, Ikorodu, Lagos State won the crown in the Junior and Senior category respectively.
Also in the junior category, Abdul-Quayum Alli, of Ota Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State, and David Charles of Graceland International Secondary, School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, came second and third respectively.
Akinyemi Dabira of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State and Hezekiah Olabisi of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun emerged as first and second runner-up respectively in the senior category.
The two champions got N2 million each and an all-expense paid education excursion outside the country.
The first and second runners-up in each category received N1.5 million and N1 million respectively, while the teachers of the top prize winners were awarded N500, 000. Those of the first and second runners-up received N400, 000 and N300, 000 respectively.
On his part, Anders Einarsson, managing director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited reiterated the commitment of the company towards education, saying it is the most important investment for the future of the children of Nigeria.
He maintained that the initiative has met its objectives and assured that Promasidor will continue to support the academic development of Nigerian children.
KELECHI EWUZIE
