ASABA/Nigeria: The need for higher mathematical reasoning, sound qualitative and quantitative analysis have been re-emphasized in the just concluded Delta State Mental Mathematics Competition organized by a Non Governmental Organisation- Like the Stars Initiative- a Non Governmental Organisation with focus on mind development of the girl child, and educational advancement in the Niger Delta region. The NGO recently initiated a series of mental mathematics challenge for students in SSI and SS2 in Delta State. With the endorsement and partnership of Delta State Ministry of Education Asaba, the competition was set to transform mathematics competitions in the set.
According to the Executive Director, Like the Stars Initiative, Miss Dele Dudusola- “the Core objective is to help students show their brain power, unleash hidden skills, acquire good retentive memories and of course become fully equipped for the increasingly competitive challenges of the 21st century. This is in addition to the fact that solution to global and local challenges will require new knowledge, mathematical calculations and high mental intelligence-especially from young boys and girls. “I am so delighted that today we have among our finalists’ girls who have shown courage, knowledge and discipline in this competition and we will continue to encourage them to remain good moral ambassadors to other young girls in joining us to spread the message beyond mental power.”
Thirty Schools were invited to represent each Senatorial Zone in the state with zonal preliminaries holding in Urhobo College Warri (Delta Central), Government College Ughelli (Delta South) and French Language Centre, Asaba (Delta North). 10 Schools emerged from the preliminaries with four girls among the finalists.
The final competition which became very emotional given the impressive expertise and transparency of the Quiz Master, Mr George Okode, and the high level of contest saw Master Onianwa Wisdom of Faith Academy Asaba emerge as the overall winner of the competition; while Miss Ikechukwu Paula Petra of Our Ladies of Nigeria Secondary School Oghara took second position, Odize Goodness of Challenge Academy Udu took third place at the finals which held at Government College Ughelli on the 13th November 2017. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) supported the competition.
In his remarks the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chinedu Ebie who was properly represented by Pst. (Mrs) Joy Biyidi, Director SVT commended the organizers of the competition and the participants. According to him “our students have shown to us they are truly ready to take over from us, the present generation by their display of intelligence in giving prompt and correct answers to questions asked during the competition without using the calculator, biro or paper.” He further applauded the organizers “for the great initiative of organizing and engaging our children in this brain-storming Mental Mathematics Quiz Competition which is the first of its kind in Delta State.”
Visibly amazed by the quality of the organization and high level of the contest, the Delta State Coordinator NDDC who was represented at the finals by Mr James Odafe Fole, Head Admin & HR commended the organizers of the competition as it is in line with NDDC vision and mission to transform education in the Niger Delta. He said “this superb competition is borne out of a vision to ensure that the good objectives of NDDC especially in the Area if Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is achieved. Today, these students have made us proud and I will take back the message to the NDDC Board and Management…”
Prizes including Laptops, Electronic Tablets and cash prizes were won by the students.
