A ten-year old primary five pupil of Diamond Specialist School Owerri, Jeffery Obinna, has emerged winner of the 4th edition of Smart Kids Mathematics Competition organized by Shekinah British International School (SBIS), Ihiagwa in Owerri West LGA of Imo State for primaries Five and Six pupils across the State.
The competition, held in Owerri, saw the winner go home with N500, 000 cash, education scholarship grant worth N15 million and a brand new laptop.
Also, Okwaraoka Chinedu, 10, and Jekwu Ebere, 10, both from Limitless School, Owerri, emerged in second and third positions and were given N300,000 and N200,000 respectively, along with brand new laptops.
Meanwhile, about twenty other participants were given consolation prizes.
The inspiring exercise sponsored by the Chairman/CEO of SBIS, Chief Dr. Obinna Smart Unegbu, ensured guaranteed access to the competition for interested pupils regardless of their locations and circumstances through free online registration.
Participating pupils were drawn from various schools, including Living Word Academy, Rosykids, White Label School, Great Achievers School, New Day School, Dayton’s Montessori Academy, Our World International School, Great Excel, Milky Way, and Best Kids Montessori School among others.
After screenings and a keenly contested Computer-Based Test (CBT), only eight contestants emerged for the final stage from a total of 145 pupils that took part in the first stage of the competition.
In his address, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. BTO Ikegwuoha, represented by the Director of School Sports in the Ministry, Mr. Joseph Chukwuemeka Nwonu, hailed the initiative as a significant step towards inspiring new interest in mathematics among the pupils who lean more towards arts subjects.
Nwonu appreciated Shekinah British International School for setting a good example, stressing the importance of replicating such in other public and private schools. He appreciated participants for their interest and courage, disclosing government’s commitment to partnering with noble initiatives that promote learning.
Congratulating best performers, the SBIS Chairman, Unegbu explained that he was driven by the passion of promoting new generation of mathematicians who will help transform the society following low interest in the subject considered by learners as difficult.
He emphasized that importance of mathematics to societal development, adding that the competition was designed to attract and revive interest in the subject, while giving learners strong foundations necessary to excel in the subject. He solicited support and partnerships with the government and others.
Expressing excitement, the champion, Jeffrey Obinna thanked God, his teachers and SBIS for the opportunity to excel. “I thank the proprietor of Shekinah British International School for giving me scholarship and for the computer and cash prize I have received. May God replenish him,” he said, hinting being encouraged to aim higher.
Addressing journalists at the sidelines, some Mathematics teachers at the event, Mr. Amadi Chigozie of Award International Nursery and Primary School, Owerri, and Mr. Kalu Michael John from Limitless School, Owerri, described the competition as a milestone in creating new awareness for mathematics and building competencies among the pupils.