It
was a mixture of excitement and celebration as the 2016 Cowbellpedia
Mathematics Competition came to a glorious end on November 5th with Juliet
Ekoko and Ayoola Oguntade, both of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State
winning the Junior and Senior categories respectively. The winners got N1
million each and an all-expense paid education excursion outside the country.
In
a thrilling final encounter in the junior category, Ekoko subdued Oreofe
Daniels of The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State; Oluwafunmbi Fakorede of
Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State; Dennis Balogun of Greater Tomorrow
International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State; Oluwatunmise Idowu of
Scholars Universal Academy, Ota, Ogun State and Glory Okoli of The Ambassadors
College, Ota, Ogun State.
The
story of Ekoko has remained a definition of luck, because she survived
elimination three times on the road to the final. The 12-year old daughter of a
Mathematician was described by her mother, Funmi Ekoko, as very diligent.
Her
father, Eyimofe Ekoko, was very elated as he thanked God and Promasidor for the
honour and opportunity given to the family.
The
winner, who aspires to be a medical doctor, also expressed gratitude to God and
dedicated her victory to God, her teacher, her parents and her friends for
their encouragement. “I am very happy today. I am very grateful to God who has
given me the grace and power to become a star today. Indeed, the scripture: we
are what we are by the grace of God, has come to fulfillment in my life today,”
she told journalists.
In
the senior category, Ayooluwa Oguntade, also of The Ambassadors College, won
the competition and the ultimate prize.
Oguntade
‘flew over’ Adegoke Aromolaran of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State and
Ademola Fatoke of Ota Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State, Hasanah Adeyanju of Ota
Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State; Taiwo Adeyemi and Blessing Udoh both of The
Ambassador College, Ota, Ogun State.
Oguntade,
who has been a class captain, a class representative and now the Head Boy of
his school, also ascribed his success to God and his teachers. He aspires to
study Engineering in the University and run his own company. “The top CEOs I
read about studied engineering and run their companies. I also want to have an
engineering degree and run my own company,” he said
The
winner, who loves ‘Ofada rice and beef stew’ also intends to invent a flying
car to ease the traffic gridlock especially on Nigerian roads.
His
father, Bodunrin Oguntade expressed great appreciation to God and the
organisers of the competition for the initiative which he believes will shape
the future of Nigerian youth.
In
his welcome address, the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited,
Olivier Thiry reiterated the commitment of the company towards education,
saying it is the most important investment for the future of the children of
Nigeria, especially the girl-child because it allows them greater power to make
informed choices.
He
saluted the finalists for their excellent performance and assured that
Promasidor will continue to support the academic development of Nigerian
children.
The
Registrar of the National Examination Council, NECO, Professor Charles Uwakwe
in his remark, commended Promasidor for the Cowbellpedia initiative which he
maintained will stimulate the interest of students in Mathematics. He pledged
NECO’s continued support for the project in appreciation of what he described
as Promasidor’s great Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) to the Nigerian
society.
The
Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Festus Tettey commended NECO for
its partnership on the project and noted that the company is willing to involve
more stakeholders that can add value to education. He extolled the level and
quality of the competition this year and stated that the company will come up
with more innovative ideas to make the competition better next year.
“We
believe in the total nourishment of the body, brain and soul. Our core driving
force has been giving back to society and we are happy to work with NECO,
because it has improved the quality of the competition,” he said.
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