Enugu State has joined the list of states that have produced semi-finalists for the ongoing Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz show, sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
In reaching that stage, Ngozi Nworu, a student of Bishop Otubelu Juniorate, Enugu, Enugu State, raised the expectation of the southeast region to challenge for the ultimate prize with the Southwest and South-South regions, which have multiple representatives in the semi-finals.
Ngozi was joined in the semi-final circuit by Damilare Adepoju of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota Ogun State, both of whom participated in the same group of the second round.
The other candidates who have now ended their journey in the competition are Emeka Onwe of Comprehensive School of Management and Technology Staff Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebony State; Dongnaan Bala of St. Augustine College, New Karu, Abuja, Nasarawa State; Nnagozie Tochukwu of Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Swanta Stephen of The Incubators Secondary Academy Kaduna, Kaduna State.
Ngozi attributed her success to her calculation skill and speed, adding that “there is a lot of benefit of being able to tackle a problem without resorting to a calculator and that was what helped me in the 60 Seconds of Fame segment.”
In the senior category, Ruth Imarhiagbe of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well as Oreofe Daniel of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State progressed to the semi-finals.
Despite their spirited efforts in the first and second rounds, four of their colleagues could not surmount the hurdles. These include: Aliyu Tukur Usman of DarulArqam Islamic Institute, Yola Adamawa State; and Master Sanyaolu Daniel of Taidob College Abeokuta, Ogun State. Other are Onyedikachi Kanu from Dority International Secondary School, Aba, Abia State; and Victory Oboh, a student of Lords and Kings Academy, Warri, Delta State.
Speaking to journalists outside the studio in Lagos last weekend, Ruth insisted that Mathematics is fun, and she would be delighted to wear the crown at the final.
Oreofe, on her own part, believes her frightful moment is over and that she is now in the right frame of mind to confront and dismantle the remaining obstacles on her way to ultimate prize.
In the spirit of the 20th anniversary of Cowbell and Mathematics in Nigeria, this year’s prize money has been doubled as winners in both categories will receive N2 million each with an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country; while the first and second runners-up will receive N1.5 million and N1 million respectively.
The teachers of the top prize winners will be awarded N500,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will receive N400,000 and N300,000 respectively.
Also, each of the winning schools will be presented with Mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.
The 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematic TV Quiz continues this weekend. It will be aired to millions of viewers on DSTv Africa Magic Family Channel, AIT Network and other six television stations across the country.
