Loyola Jesuit Student Makes History in Cowbellpedia Maths Contest
Uchechukwu Nnaike
A student of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, Munachi ErnestEze has made history in the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show by emerging overall winner in the senior category two years after winning in the junior category.
The day also belonged to Jesse Uche-Nwichi of Graceland International School, Rivers State, who defeated all comers to win in the junior category of the competition sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand from the stable of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
Each of the champions got N1 million and an all-expense paid education abroad.
In the senior category, ErnestEze was trailed by Oluwanifise Onafowokan of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State and Evans Owamoyo of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State who finished as first and second runners-up respectively.
Michael Paul of Excel Grace Academy, Akaajime-Gboko, Benue State; Ikechukwu Ibeh of Federal Government College, Suleja, Niger State and Tomiwa Olatunbosun of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun State were the other finalists in the senior category.
Ernest-Eze, who fulfilled his promise to re-enact his 2015 feat when he won in the junior category, could not hide his emotion after his history-making performance. “I thank God for the end of the journey today. I am now confident to tell Nigerians that I was a champion and I am a champion again today. God has done it and it is marvellous in my eyes.”
His father, Ikechukwu Ernest-Eze, beaming with smiles, expressed gratitude to God and Promasidor for the double honours.
Earlier in a thrilling final encounter in the junior category, 13-year-old Uche-Nwichi scored 115 points to confine Oluwafemi Adeyanju of Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Ezekiel Ekanem of Advanced Breed Group of Schools, Sagamu, Ogun State to the second and third places respectively.
The trio of Osasere Egharevba of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt; Joel Ndoh of Marist Brothers Juniorate, Okigwe, and Abdulwakil Olayinka of Nigerian Tulip International College, Kaduna could not go beyond the first round.
Uche-Nwichi dedicated his victory to God and his parents, while promising to maintain the momentum.
His father, Chukwu UcheNwichi, who could not conceal his excitement, commended the sponsor for the huge investment in the competition and urged government and the other corporate bodies to emulate the company. Olatunde Ayorinde, Uche-Nwichi’s teacher commended the champion for the honour he brought to him and to the school. “I thank God for today. My effort has not been in vain. Nothing can be better than this. I am grateful to God, Cowbell and Promasidor.” The first and second runners-up for each category won N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.
Each teacher of the 2017 champions in each category was rewarded N400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up received N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. Also, the winning schools won Mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.
In a chat with journalists, the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Anders Einarsson, reiterated the commitment of the company towards education, saying that it is the most important investment for the future of Nigerian children.
“The programme has absolutely met its objectives. We are committed to this initiative and by next year, we will celebrate 20 years of Mathematics and Cowbell.”
He congratulated the finalists for their performance and promised that the company would continue to support the academic development of Nigerian children.
The University of Uyo has conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration on Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, as well as sustainable community development initiatives.
Indimi was honoured at the combined 22nd/ 23rd convocation ceremony, which had in attendance the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Muhammed Ibn Mustafa II Al- Amin Elkanemi, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, among others.
During the ceremony, the university highlighted Indimi’s philanthropic activities across education, health and social welfare, housing and critical aid provision.
Since 2009, Indimi, through Oriental Energy Resources ( Oriental) has awarded over 470 scholarships to recipients in Akwa Ibom State, created a sponsorship programme for UNIUYO’s Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, as well as trained and awarded start- up funds to over 270 youths from the state. In addition, he has trained 500 women, 200 of whom were awarded seed funding to start new businesses.
The honorary award comes at a time when Indimi is currently building a N700 million modern residential estate of 100 units in Enwang, headquarters of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State aimed at providing housing for beneficiaries from the host communities. When completed, the village will have a solar-powered electrification system, a school, clinic, a shopping centre and other amenities.
Responding, Indimi thanked the university for the honour and said the award gives him a fresh opportunity to continue his previous association and contributions to the development of the university.
“In appreciation of this award, I am ready to cooperate with the university in furthering its development. I want to assure you that I will continue to work hard in making contributions which will have sustainable impact on the Nigerian economy and my community, including Akwa Ibom State.”