Excellence in mathematics needs the creativity and the patience of an artist. This is the best route to solving mathematics equation, according to Master Philip Jesulayomi Awodiya, a contestant in the on-going Season 5 of the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.
Phillip, a student representing Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesa, Osun State explained that the steps involved in solving mathematics problems are similar to the intrinsic patience and creativity needed by an artist in his work.
He added that each time he set out to draw as an artist, the calculation that involves Mathematics, helps in bringing out the creativity of the art work.
“All that is required in tackling a mathematical problem is creative thinking and as an artist, the in-built mechanism is already there and that to a large extent, gives me the desired edge”, he said.
In the Senior category preliminary Group F (week 6) contest last weekend in Lagos, Philip in the company of Master Oghenero Ologe of Zionfield Private School, Lagos dusted the remaining four contestants in that category to clinch the two semifinal tickets.
Those who were shut out of contention include Abbey-Ollo Flourish of Faith Academy Goshen, Karu, Nasarawa State; David Durojaiye of PHCN Staff Secondary School Sapele, Delta State; Chekezie Ezenwa of Marist Brothers Juniorate, Uturu Abia State, and Richard Johnson of Saint Peter’s College, Idah, Kogi State.
In the Junior category, Favour Ezekiel of Topfaith International Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Faithful Unimashi of Saint Annes High school, Calabar, Cross River State grabbed the semi-final tickets.
The effort by the duo halted the march of four of their colleagues in the competition. These include Ahmed Fatimah of Elkanemi College Maiduguri, Borno State; Aliyu David of Federal Government Academy Suleja, Niger State; Great Akpieye of Topfaith International School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Okoye Ogochukwu of Graceland International School Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Favour, who is still basking in the euphoria of her semi-final qualification, vow to give her best in the ‘battle’ to the final. “My Mummy has always encouraged me to give my best shot in this competition and I think that has helped me to this point and I believe it’s going to take me to the next level and possibly the crown,” she said.
The quiz show which will run for 13 weeks is divided into nine preliminary stages and three semi-finals before the grand finale in November 2019. The organisers also promised that this year’s edition would be more educative and fun-filled as Cowbellpedia is committed to “nurturing great inventors”.
Aside the N2 million grand prize, Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson disclosed that the winner in each of categories, (junior and senior) will enjoy an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country at the end of the initiative.
In addition, the first and second runners-up in each category will receive N1.5 million and N1 million respectively, while the teachers of the top prize winners will be awarded N500, 000. Those of the first and second runners-up will receive N400, 000 and N300, 000 respectively.
The 2019 edition of Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematic TV Quiz continues this weekend. It will be aired on DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel 154, AIT Network and other six television stations across the country.
