Managing Director of PZ Cussons Consumer, Mr. Alex Goma, has described quiz contest as a strong tool for intellectual development capable of improving the quality of education.
Goma spoke during the grand finale of the yearly PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge contest held at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos.
No sooner had the quizmaster declared the event open than the six finalists locked in a fierce challenge for the coveted prize. Intermittently, the quizmaster admonished the contestants to relax, as the contest wasn’t a war.
Having become winners in their groups during the preliminary stages of the contest, who would be the ultimate champion among the six contestants?
After hours of intense suspense, Dara Ogunmola, SS II student of New Hall International School in Lekki, was declared overall winner of Chemistry Challenge. He scored 90 per cent in practical test and 100 per cent in the quiz sessions.
Dara was rewarded with N700,000 cash, a brand-new laptop, a trophy and gold medal. His Chemistry teacher, Mr Raphael Adeoye, was presented with N100,000 cash and a plaque. His school also got N100,000 worth of laboratory equipment.
Samuel Oyelami of Tomia Community Senior Secondary School in Alagbado, who scored 88.50 per cent and came second, was presented with a cash of N450, 000, a brand-new laptop and silver medal. His Chemistry teacher, Mr Bowale Oludare, went home with N80,000 cash and a plaque, while his school got N80,000 worth of laboratory equipment.
With a cumulative score of 88 per cent, Justine Anyika of Federal Government College in Ijanikin, Lagos, finished as second runner-up and received N350,000 cash, a laptop and bronze medal. Justine’s Chemistry teacher, Adedamola Ibunkunola, got N70,000, while her school received N70,000 worth of laboratory equipment.
The third runner-up, Adepoju Adewale of Fountain Height School in Lagos, received N250,000 cash, a laptop and a consolation medal. His Chemistry teacher was presented with N60,000 cash reward and a plaque, while his school received N60,000 worth of laboratory equipment. Other finalists were also rewarded with cash and laboratory equipment.
Some science teachers in the audience were picked to participate in teachers’ challenge. At the end of the contest, Mr John Nnani of Top Grade Secondary School slammed his colleagues. He went home with N70,000 cash and PZ Cussons products; same went for runners up who were also rewarded with cash and products.
Goma recalled that the Chemistry Challenge was created by the PZ Cussons Foundation in 2011, as the corporate social responsibility arm of PZ Cussons, to reward excellence among teachers and pupils.
He said: “We created this initiative to massively motivate pupils and their teachers to aim for excellence, and also to appreciate the importance of science to our everyday life. We brought in two quality brands, Premier Cool and Nunu Milk, to do the physical and emotional connections needed to consolidate the impact of this project. This edition has been a great improvement on the past ones.”
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Education, Mr Adesina Odeyemi, reiterated government’s support for the initiative, praising PZ Cussons Foundation and the supporting brands for contributing to the development of science education in the state.
National President of Chartered Institute of Chemist of Nigeria, Prof Oladele Osibanjo, who is also chairman of Advisory Board of the PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, said the initiative would create academic opportunities for winners and motivate students to study chemistry.
He said: “Nigeria is abundantly blessed in human capital. If students can put up great skills at national competitions, such as the Chemistry Challenge, I have no doubt they would compete and excel anywhere in the world.”
The overall winner, Dara, praised the organisers. “The quiz did not only challenge my intelligence from the preliminary stages, it has also created a lasting experience which I will never forget in life,”Dara said.
This year edition of the Chemistry Challenge with the theme: Be a winner, started with over 3,000 participants at the first stage. The second round had 130 pupils that qualified from the first round. They were taken through multiple answer examination, which led to pruning them to 24. Following the practical test for the 24 contestants, six finalists emerged to compete for the star prize.
