Rivers Secures Third Semi-final Slot in Cowbellpedia Maths TV Quiz

Uchechukwu Nnaike

A student of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Tamunokuro Braide has secured a semi-final slot, making her the third student from Rivers State to make it to the semi-final stage in the on-going 2017 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz, sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

At the sixth preliminary contest in the junior category, Braide and Ezekiel Ekanem of Advanced Breed Group of Schools, Sagamu, Ogun State advanced to the semi-final stage after a stiff competition from Omamode Sohwo of Graceville High School, Asaba, Delta State and Kolawole Bankole of Greater Tomorrow International College, Ado-Ekiti. Henry Nworie of Twelve Apostles College, Ebonyi State and George Tochukwu of Ruby Peculiar College, Jalingo, Taraba State also ended their journey in the competition at the group stage.

Braide said she is confident of a good outing in the race to the final and hopes for the best in her quest for the ultimate prize. “I have put this behind me. My focus is on the next hurdle and the final battle, as I pray for the best.”

On his part, Ekanem, who scored 98 per cent in the qualifying examination conducted in March, thanked God for seeing him through the “tough battle of the group”. He also thanked his parents for the encouragement given to him.

In the senior category, Benjamin Chisom of Dority International Secondary School Aba, Abia State and Favour Ajibola of Model Secondary School, Alagbaka-Akure, Ondo State qualified for the semi-finals after eliminating Christopher Ikeh of Reality High School Ilesha, Osun State. Other contestants were Jinan Lakan of Bethany Christian Academy, Jos, Plateau State; Alfred Thompson of Belary Schools, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, and Fatima Suleiman of Elkanemi Schools Nigeria, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Chisom expressed confidence in his ability to excel all the way to the ultimate prize. “My worst fear is over now that I have qualified for the semi-final. The race is open now. I only need to intensify my preparation and prayers.”

Ajibola, who was excited about his qualification, expressed optimism about his chances of winning the ultimate prize. He promised to work more on his composure in the next stages of the competition.

The ultimate prize in both categories is N1 million each and an all-expense-paid educational excursion abroad. The first and second runners-up for each category will receive N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

Each teacher of the 2017 champions will be awarded N400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will receive N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. Also, the winning schools will be rewarded with mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.