The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has given national awards to over 60 students who distinguished themselves in the 2017/2018 National Mathematical Sciences Olympiads Competitions.
The Olympiad is one of the strategies by the centre to encourage and popularize mathematics at secondary school level.
The students participated in the competition in mathematical science subjects which include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the senior category while the junior category includes informatics and Integrated Science.
In the senior category, Okeke Williams of Graceland International School, Rivers State emerged the overall winner in mathematics, while Nwachukwu Nmesomachi and Edikan Akpabio all of same school emerged second and third respectively.
In the junior category, Okezie Chiedozie of NTIC, Abuja emerged the first while Akinleye Akintobi of Ambassador College, Ota, Ogun State and Woli Muhammed Jamiu of NTIC, Kano too the second and third position.
The Director and Chief Executive of NMC, Prof. Stephen Onah, speaking at the award ceremony in Abuja recently said, “The competitions are used to develop and reward youth across the world and to establish friendly relationships among them. Any achievements at the Olympiads draw huge amount of attraction to the individuals in particular.”
Speaking, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu who was represented by the Director of Basic Education, Lami Ahmadu said the ministry supports the conduct of the Olympiad as a result of its attendant benefits to the educational and the moral development of students.
He said the competition will as well improve their knowledge base in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM) to develop a critical mass of young scientists in the country.
The Minister disclosed that the winners of the International, Okeke Williams and Nwachukwu Mmesomachi who won medals for the country are now in Russia on Federal Government Scholarship.
“I have also been informed that others have also gone to further their studies in notable institutions across the word as a result of their performances in the Olympiads competitions,” he said.
