It was a thrilling contest last weekend as representatives of the South-South states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa grabbed the last four slots in the on-going 2018 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show, being sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the leading brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
In the preliminary Group I challenge, Splendour Nwankwo, a student of the Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Beverly Ukoha of Topfaith International Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State clinched the available two tickets.
Those who could not cross to that stage after the pulsating first and second rounds included Chidubem Okorie of the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos; and Okoli Beulah, a student of the Royal Girls Academy, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Others were Nazifa Salisu Musa of Iqra Science Academy, Jalingo, Taraba State; and Khali Saeed from All Bright Kids Academy, Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
With 120 points from the 60 Seconds of Fame segment, Splendour hinged his strength on the long hours he spends daily in practicing Mathematics, while Beverly, who aspires to become a Chemical Engineer, believes he has what it takes to win the ultimate prize.
In the senior category, Samuel Ebute of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Victor Wariboko-West of Biedomo Premier School, Yenagoa, BayelsaState dwarfed other contestants and pocketed the semi-final tickets in the group.
The feat therefore pushed Abdulazeez Abubakar of Iqra Science Academy, Jalingo, Taraba State; and Clement Isaiah of the Bilikisu International School, Kaduna, KadunaState out of the competition. Other contestants in their league were Ahmed Ahmod of the Mhastar Probity College, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Yusuf Usman of GovernmentScience Secondary School, Dutsin-ma, Katsina, Katsina State.
Victor is confident that the courage that brought him this far would see him through to the final to win the crown.
Samuel, on his part, vowed to make his parents proud by winning the ultimate prize and be crowned the 2018 champion.
To commemorate 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, AITNetwork and other six television stations across the country.
