It requires the focus, preparation and determination of a wrestler to conquer the fear of a seemingly difficult subject like Mathematics and triumph over its phobia. This was the submission of Master Chiedozie Uzochukwu of Nigerian Tulip International College, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Chiedozie, a participant in the on-going 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show, sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the leading brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, maintained that Mathematics phobia must be fought with all strength and determination to become a champion in the subject.
He disclosed that his love for wrestling has helped his focus and commitment to win when it comes to Mathematics.
“For me, I approach Mathematics like a wrestler. I am determined to win, so losing is not an option. I will sit with it until I am able to overcome. Gradually, the fear continues to recede, and today I am a champion,” he said.
In the junior category group D last weekend, Chiedozie and Gabriel Akogun of Welkin International School, Ota, Ogun State progressed to semi-finals of the junior category, in a round that featured four other contestants.
Those who lost at the end of first and second rounds were: Timi Charles-Okhide of Federal Government Girls College, Imiringi, Bayelsa State; Fatima Musa Machina of Elkanemi College, Maiduguri, Borno State; Janet Ode of Scholars College, Ota, Ogun State; and Lotoni Adewara of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Chiedozie, 14, who scored 100 per cent in the qualifying examination held in February, maintained that his parents fired his interest in Mathematics.
He disclosed that he spends six hours every day to study and work on removing the fear of the subject. “My goal is to win the completion and I will be very happy if I win because victory will be a good compensation for all my efforts,” Chiedozie said.
Gabriel, who scored 97 per cent in the qualifying examination, wants to study aeronautic engineering. The son of a teacher expressed confidence about his ability to win the ultimate prize.
In the senior category, Amarachukwu Aronu of The Ambassadors College Ota, Ogun State and Ayomiposi Adiji of Preston International School, Akure, Ondo State qualified for the semi-finals.
Those left behind after the competitive first and second rounds were: Ajayi Ayomide of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha Osun State; Khalil Balarabe of Governors College Kano, Kano State; Munachimso Onuoha of Whitesands School Lekki, Lagos State; and Victor Ohoke of Twelve Apostles College, Sharon, Ebonyi State.
Ayomiposi, son of a medical doctor and a teacher, disclosed that his love for numbers made him to like Mathematics. He described his experience in the competition as fantastic.
As a second timer in the competition, he was confident of victory this time around. “I have been here before. This time I have come to win. I know with God on my side I will be victorious,” Ayomiposi, who also hope to be an aeronautic engineer, said.
Amarachukwu, who wants to study engineering, was very happy to have crossed into the semi-finals. He promised to work harder on his speed and accuracy for the next stage especially the 60 second of fame. “I must not allow pressure to get over me because I really need to win the ultimate prize to make my parent glad,” he said.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the competition, the 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 each, while those of the first and second runners-up will each 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 and other six television stations across the country.
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