It was a plesant surprise when fourteen years old student of Living Faith Academy Lokoja, Divine Oguche has emerged winner of the maiden Majesty International Academy mathematics competition held on Saturday in Lokoja.
Divine Oguche, won five hundred thousand Naira, a Refrigerator, Pressing Iron and electric heater as first position ,the first runner up, Ismail Wildan got three hundred thousand Naira, a pressing iron and electric kettle while Egede Chris ,the 2nd runner-up pocketed two hundred thousand Naira, a pressing iron and electric kettle.
Aside the winners, ten students got #20,000 #10,000 each as consolation prizes even as the 66 participants got certificates of attendant.
The Majesty International College Lokoja, in Collaboration with National Mathematics Center Abuja organised the maiden Majesty College mathematics competition with the theme ; Building Confidence, Embracing Mathematics with Enthusiasm”over the weekend in Lokoja, kogi state capital.
According to the principal of the college, Professor Emmanuel Ohize , the purpose of the competition was to build interest and spur the Nigerian child to study Mathematics.
The principal noted that the competition which was in three stages , had 33 Students drilled in Objective questions ,weeding out twenty three students, leaving ten students to enter second stage , theory part of the question with five students who failed to proceed to the final stage of questions and answers as Divine Oguche, Ismail Wildan and Egede Chris winning first, second and third positions respectively.
Professor Ohize noted that the study of mathematics is so critical to the science and technological advancements of the nation , saying the competition is the modest contribution of Majesty International Academy to the enhancement of teaching and learning of the subject.
He said , mathematics transcends, race ,culture and geographical boundaries, as it is crucial and every thing to the students’ academic progression
He commended the Management of National Mathematics Center for a robust relationship that fast-tracted successful hosting of the maiden competition by the college.
He disclosed that the college decided not to feature her students for strategic reasons and assured that the next edition, the school is confident that it will not only participate but to win convincingly.
He commended the overall winner, Master Divine Oguche, who had won similar competitions hosted by the college and charged him not to relent on his oars as sky could be the starting point of his journey into the world of mathematics.
He specifically applauded the promoter of Majesty International College, the management team, staff and students for their sacrifices to seeing that the competition succeed.
In the same vein, the Managing Director, Majesty West Africa Limited, owners of Majesty International College, Alhaji Muhammad Aleru thanked the participating schools and students for their commitment to ensure that mathematics becomes a priority in the lives of the Nigerian child.
He assured that the management of the college placed premium on the importance of Mathematics to the growth and development of Nigeria, as he would continue to support the teaching and learning of mathematics.
In a remark, the head of Olympiad unit of National Mathematics Center NMC, Associate Professor, Solomon Ojo, acknowledged the brilliant performance of the participants, stressing that the nation has what it take to emerge a science and technology giant across the sub saharan African.
He said with needed support by the society, mathematics can be used to solve hydra dreaded corruption facing the country.
” If majority of this young generation embraces mathematics, the society would be relieved of corruption and other evils, as it has capacity to reconstruct the people to know how to avert manipulations by the unscrupulous elements.
Amidst tears of Joy, the star winner, Master Divine Oguche appreciated his parent, management and staff of Living Faith Academy and Majesty International College for their contributions to arousing his interest in the subject and eventual winning the coveted trophy.
He urged students to develop positive interest in mathematics as it is not as difficult as students believed , saying , mathematics has become critical to the education advancement of any child and transformation of society.