Rivers, Delta In The Semifinals of 2018 Cowbellpedia Maths Tv Quiz Show

Representatives of Rivers and Delta States scaled the first and second rounds of group B preliminary stage to secure semi-final places for the South-South region in the 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show, sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the leading brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

The regional successes were achieved in the junior category by Benny Sampson-Uche of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Jefferson Ejaife of DSC Technical High School, Aladja, Delta States.

The duo out performed Otutochi Nwadinkpa of Nigerian Tulip International College for Boys, Abuja; Oyongwo Gwanette of Britarch Secondary School, Umuahia, Abia State; Festus Ebarekor of University Preparatory Secondary School, Benin, Edo State; and Mustapha Muhammad of Jigawa State Academy for the Gifted, Bamaina, Jigawa State.

With an average response time of 1.88 seconds, Benny got 145 points in the second round. Described as “small but mighty”, the 13-year-old believes he is well prepared to emerge the 2018 champion to follow in the footsteps of his school mate, Jessey Uche-Nwichi, the 2017 junior champion.

Jefferson, with an average response time of 1.57 seconds, garnered 120 points. He expressed confidence that he would go all the way to the final. “I feel very happy to scale the hurdle, especially being my first time of participating in the competition. I hope to get to the final. I have done a lot of prayers and practice,” he said.

In the senior category, Praise Isinkaye of Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State, and Israel Adegboyega of Scholars Universal Secondary School Ota, Ogun Stateg ot the semi-final slots after contesting with Fakorede Oluwafunmbi of BiboOluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun State; and Vincent Ezeanyagu of Baptist High School, Naraguta-Jos, Plateau State. Others who could not go beyond the preliminary include Adegbamiye Oluwagbemiga of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State and Haruna Hassan Kabaju of Nigerian Tulip International College for Boys, Damaturu, Yobe State.

Praise, who dropped off at the preliminary round two years ago, has her sight on the ultimate prize this time around. “I feel cool scaling this hurdle. I really thank God, but my ultimate ambition is to be the 2018 Cowbellpedia champion,” she said.

Israel, a first timer in the competition, believes his own chances are bright as well. “My expectation is to be the champion. Cowbellpedia remains my ultimate dream,” he told journalists outside the studio in Lagos last week.

In the spirit of the 20^th anniversary, this year’s prize money has also 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, AIT Network and other six television stations across the country.