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Category: Education & Innovation
The goal of education and innovation in Nigeria is envisioned to be ruled by true wisdom and self-consciousness. The Nigerian innovative spirit coupled with humane values is acknowledged in its dynamic and universal applicability.
15-year-old Samuella Sam-Orlu of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja, has emerged the overall winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.
Samuella Sam-Orlu wins an educational grant of ₦1,000,000.00 to study in any African university of her choice, as well as a laptop.
Samuella clinched the first position at the grand finale, which was held in Lagos, ahead of 11 other finalists selected from over 1,000 entries received by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria.
Samuella Sam-Orlu who was escorted by her guardian, Mrs. Jacqueline Uzoadibe said that winning the competition would propel her to do more in attaining her dreams of becoming a Medical Director.
The second prize was bagged by Deborah Chinwendu Innocent aged 15 of Enal International Schools Abuja, who won ₦750,000 educational grant and a laptop while the third prize went to Yahofon Ettah Essien of Nigerian Christian Institute Akwa Ibom State, coveting a ₦500,000 educational grant and a laptop. The other 9 finalists were given laptops. All 12 finalists also went home with certificates.
In his remark, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said:
“Seeing past winners tell their stories on the impact the grants have made on their education and particularly how the financial burden was lifted off their parents, gives us joy that our foundation is unique and stands out from others in touching lives.”
He informed the gathering made up of parents, students and media that the essay competition had produced over 100 winners, since its inception in 2011 in Nigeria, with winners studying varied courses in universities in Nigeria and within the African continent.
Mr. Kennedy Uzoka further stated on the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition:
24-year-old Nemitari Ajienka has emerged the youngest lecturer at Edge Hill University in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2017.
In the words of Nemitari Ajienka:
”Immensely Grateful. BSc & MSc distinctions & PhD. A new journey now begins at 24; youngest lecturer at Edge Hill University, UK. #PhD #brunel #MDX #Bham #nigeria #proudlynigerian #PortHarcourt”
Ajienka who now works as a lecturer in Computer Science at Edge Hill University appreciated the effort of one of his lecturers, Dr. Andrea Capiluppi for his unconditional support and PhD supervision.
Jessey Uche-Nwichi and Munachi Ernest-Eze have emerged overall winners respectively in the junior and senior categories of the 2017 Cowbellpedia Maths Quiz.
By winning the 2017 Cowbellpedia Maths Quiz, Jessey Uche-Nwichi and Munachi Ernest-Eze emerge Nigeria’s youngest next inventors.
Munachi made history however, having won the 2015 edition in the junior category and coming back to win in the senior category.
Munachi is a 16-year-old student of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja. He was the Cowbellpedia 2015 junior champion and is the first person to win the competition twice, as a junior and as a senior.
Jessey Uche-Nwichi is a 13-year-old student of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Each of the champions got ₦1 million and an all-expense paid education excursion outside the country.
In the senior category, Munachi Ernest-Eze 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.
Munachi Ernest-Eze said:
“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.”
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.
Uche-Nwichi dedicated his victory to God and his parents, while promising to maintain the momentum.
The first and second runners-up for each category won ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 respectively.
Each teacher of the 2017 champions in each category was rewarded with ₦400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up received ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.
Also, the winning schools won Mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.
According to the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Anders Einarsson:
“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.”
In his remarks, the Registrar of the National Examination Council, Prof. Charles Uwakwe, commended Promasidor for the Cowbellpedia initiative and stated that education remained the best legacy parents and society could give to children.
Uwakwe pledged NECO’s continued technical support for the project in appreciation of what he described as Promasidor’s great Corporate Social Responsibility to the Nigerian society.
The journey of the finalists began when 52,000 students wrote a preliminary test. Out of the 52,000, 108 made it to the live-show. These 108 were the 74 best junior and senior students from all 36 states and the FCT (to ensure every state is represented). The remaining 34 were the best students nationwide – 17 junior and senior. In the end, 12 finalists emerged – 6 in the junior and senior categories and 2 of them (Munachiso and Jessey) won the grand prize of 1 million Naira each, an all-paid educational excursion outside the country and the ultimate bragging rights of being the 2017 Mathematics Champions.
Lumen Christi International High School, Uromi, Edo State has emerged winner of the 2017 annual Lift Above Poverty Organisation, LAPO quiz competition held in Benin, Edo State.
Lumen Christi International High School scored 28 points in four subjects: Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Chemistry to defeat five other schools to claim the trophy.
Team Uniben (University of Benin) has emerged second place winner at the 2017 PetroBowl Championship of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Team Uniben consist of five students which include Okon Samuel Iniobong, Osogba Oghenekaro, Oseghale Aloysius, Anyaezu Tobenna, Henry Monday Oguns and Thompson Edidiong represented the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Africa region at the Annual Technical Conference 2017 International PetroBowl contest and the International Paper contest respectively.
This is the first time in the history of the competition that an African School advances to the final stage. The University of Benin had its first match in the PetroBowl Championship against the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia of which they won and moved to the round of sixteen to compete against the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of which again the university of Benin won to advance to the Elite 8 to play against the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A of which the University of Benin won to qualify them to the final four of the PetroBowl competition.
In the final four, the University of Benin faced Batangas State University, Phillipines and won after which they advanced to the final play against Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) to take the second place and clinched the silver medal.
The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Kess Obahiagbon led the Head of Department, Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin, Dr. Kelani Bello along other staff and students of the department to present the award to the Vice-chancellor, Professor F.F.O Orumwense at the Vice-chancellor’s conference room.
Receiving the award, the Vice-chancellor, Professor Osasere Orumwense who was overwhelmed by the performance of the students, thanked them for making Uniben proud and encouraged them to continue to soar higher.
Speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Prof. Kess Obahiagbon informed the Vice-chancellor that only two students from the University of Benin participated in the competition as against five students from other universities as the other three students had visa restrictions.
In his remarks, the Head of Department, Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin, Dr. Kelani Bello reiterated the outstanding performance of the students from the University of Benin adding that their victory automatically qualifies them to participate at the 2018 Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Dallas, U.S.A.
Iyanuoluwa Osewa and Kolawole Bello have emerged the Cowbellpedia Mathematics Teachers of Year 2017 in the Junior and Senior categories respectively.
Iyanuoluwa Osewa and Kolawole Bello from The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State repeated the feat of their respective students who won last year’s Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics TV Quiz Show, sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
Toyosi Craig, has been honoured with the Nigeria Community Excellence Award 2017 as the most outstanding student in South Africa. The award ceremony was held at the Encore Theater Complex, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa.
The most outstanding student category of the award was introduced this year and was sponsored by Old Mutual South Africa, to honour the best performing Nigerian student in the country. The category had over 400 students who took part in the contest.
Toyosi Craig, is a PhD student in Engineering Management with a special focus on solar energy at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
The 29 year-old, who just finished a project on development by innovation for Africa at Technical University of Munich, Germany, was chosen on his academic accomplishments and research innovations, particularly his area of research interest, which is innovation management and systems analysis.
Craig, expressed gratitude to God, the award organizer, his family and social media network, Penpushing, where he is a member, for the genuine support and encouragement from the members.
According to the Founder of Penpushing, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji:
“This noble platform, which you are a member, is proud of your feat in making your country, Nigeria, proud and bringing it to a global stage in a positive way and manner.
We wish to congratulate you on your award as the 2017 Most Outstanding Nigerian Student,” he said, adding: “No doubt, your sterling quality is a major factor which contributed to your emergence as the best among the 400 nominations. This is remarkable, inspiring and encouraging.
As we congratulate you, we also encourage you to further show commitment and exhibit competence in your field of choice in your profession and other endeavours.
We pray that God will be your guide and guardian. Once again, accept our congratulatory message, and we wish you more successes.”