Two senior secondary school students have won a mathematics and Igbo quiz competition in Anambra State.
The competition, named Best Brains Competition (BBC), is organised by a social group, Akpoazaa, to encourage youth to speak Igbo and improve their calculation skills.
Ndianaekwute Oluebube, 16, from Abbot Girls Secondary School in Ihiala, emerged the overall best in the mathematics quiz, taking home N100,000, a trophy, medals and certificates.
Nwafor Favour of Ogboji High School in Aguata, who led in the Igbo contest, also got the same reward.
They will also enjoy payment of their UTME, registration expenses upon admission into a university, and monthly salaries in their first year.
The second position in mathematics went to Nnoruka Chinonso of Community Secondary School Okpuno, while Anyadike Chiagoziem of Community Secondary and Technical College Nawfia, held the second position for the Igbo contest, with both getting N50,000 each.
Onyedika Stella of Abannaa Secondary School Abatete, held the third position in mathematics, while Uzor Somtoo Sixtus of Government Technical College Ihiala held the third position in Igbo, with both of them getting a N30,000 cash prize each.
The overall best in maths, Oluebube, said she had participated in over 10 competitions but did not win any until now. “This time, I decided to work harder to make sure I won, and by God’s grace, I won.”
Favour, who leads the Igbo category, said there was no special coaching for her. “My winning was a divine intervention, and I am grateful to God.”
The president of Akpoazaa Group, Hon. Frank Igbojindu, said the annual event is to encourage the younger ones to speak Igbo and also test their mathematical skills.
“We decided to give attention to Igbo because we want to encourage the teaching and learning of Igbo in our schools. And we are testing the students in mathematics to promote interpersonal relationships among them,” he said.
The vice president of Akpoazaa, Mrs Chinaza Igbojindu, urged the students to always speak Igbo at public functions.
“We should be proud to speak Igbo; it is your identity; be proud of the language,” she urged.
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