Cowbellpedia Contestant: Maths Helps to Solve Life’s Problems
A student of the Nigerian Tulip International College, Kaduna State, Chizitere Okey-Awuzie has said that Mathematics remains a critical factor in solving day-to-day human problems.
Okey-Awuzie, who is one of the participants in the ongoing Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show sponsored by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, explained that the most cited practical application of Mathematics in everyday life is money management.
“To manage your own money, you need basic Mathematical knowledge, even beyond the basic concepts of arithmetic. Life is beautiful; Mathematics is also beautiful.”
He added that to adequately understand the terms of a loan or an investment account, basic understanding of Mathematics is also required.
According to him, another way Mathematics is useful is with electrical usage at home. “With a little math, and some numbers from your utility bill, you can easily calculate how much money you spend leaving the lights on all the time.”
At the end of the preliminary rounds, Okey-Awuzie and Rukevwe Ugorji of Saint Augustine’s College, New Karu, Nasarawa State with 105 and 100 points respectively advanced to the semi-final stage in the senior category.
Both defeated Chidera Offor of Federal Government College, Enugu State; Chisom Etteh of Calvary Arrows College, Gboko, Benue State; Francis Mbonu of Top Faith International Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; and David Degold of Evangel College, Gombe State.
Okey-Awuzie expressed hope of getting to the finals and winning the ultimate prize. “My expectation is to win this competition; I don’t want to think of losing at all.”
Ugorji who was also excited by his feat, said winning at the finals is the ultimate. “I just pray I win the ultimate prize, though I don’t know what I will do with my prize money yet,” the 16-year-old said.
In the junior category, Olayinka Abdulwakil of Nigerian Tulip International College, Kaduna and Deborah Oyekunle of Deeper Life High School, Ibadan, Oyo State got through to the semi-finals.
With 115 and 90 points respectively, they were ahead of Donald Peters of Sacred Heart College, Apapa, Lagos; Oluwatimilehin Oluborode of Greater Tomorrow Model College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; Kachi Fidelugwuowo of University of Nigeria Secondary School, Enugu State; and Moshood Abdulbasit of Basaura Institute of Comprehensive Education, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Abdulwakil, who aspires to become a software engineer, scored 93 per cent in the qualifying examination conducted nationwide in March. He ascribed his victory to the grace of God and dedicated preparation.
Oyekunle, 13 said she was “very excited and happy” qualifying for the semi-finals. “My expectation is to win and wear the crown. I pray this dream comes true. And if I win, I will give my prize money to my parents.”
An all-expense paid educational excursion abroad and N1 million is the ultimate prize for the winners in the junior and senior categories, while the first and second runners-up in each category will get N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.
The teachers of the 2017 champions will receive N400,000 each, while those of the first and second runners-up will get N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.