Organisers of the 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show have raised a flag of fame for pupils of Ogun and Rivers States last weekend following a spectacular performance by their representatives who beat all the contestants to be crowned junior and senior champions of the competition.
Guardian reports that Akinfoluhan Akinleye of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State pulled a total of 90 points at the junior category, while Chinedu Mgbemena of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, emerged the senior category winner.
The competition, which is sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, is aimed at stimulating interest in Mathematics education and learning among Nigerian secondary school students.
In the two-round epic final for the junior category crown, Akinfoluhan soared above Splendour Nwankwo of Jesuit Memorial College and Favour Okarike of Graceland International School, both in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who were first and second runner-up respectively.
Akinfoluhan, 13-year-old son of a banker, described his victory as both refreshing and exciting. “I feel very happy to have scaled the hurdle to the final and winning the crown, especially being my first time of participating in the competition. My father will be so happy,” he enthused.
In the senior category, it appeared that Chinedu came to avenge the loss by his school in the junior category as he stamped his authority over his closest challengers.
Sixteen-year-old Chinedu, who is also a second timer in the competition, was overwhelmed by his feat and thanked God and his teacher, Mr Christopher Olasupo for guiding him all the way to ultimate victory.
“My aim in this competition has been to be the best and ultimately, the champion. That is why I practice Mathematics for long hours every day ahead of this competition. I thank God today that the effort is worth the while eventually. I am proud to have made my parents proud,” he told journalists.”
In fulfilment of its promise to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cowbell and Mathematics in Nigeria, the star winner in each category had their prize money doubled to N2 million each, in addition to an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country.
The first and second runners-up got N1.5 million and N1 million respectively. The teachers of the champions were also rewarded with N500,000, while those of the first and second runners-up received N400,000 and N300,000 respectively. Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Anders Einarsson affirmed that the Cowbellpedia initiative has met its stated objectives, 20 years after its commencement
