As the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show entered its critical stage, emotions are rising and adrenalin of the contestants is pumping really hard. Who will wear the ultimate crown? What would count? For Miss Hasanah Adeyanju, a Senior Secondary student of Ota Total Academy, Ota, Ogun State who emerged tops in the last edition of the show with her pair, Blessing Udoh of The Ambassador College, also in Ota, inspiration to solve Mathematics equations is drawn from the serenity of the environment she consciously chooses to be in. The duo who contestants from other states to emerge winners in the semi-final of the weekly show could not contain their joy.
With eyes set on the ultimate prize Adeyanju said: “I will definitely work on my accuracy and speed. That is what my teacher has been telling me. I will not let him down. I want to make my parents happy too. That has been my prayer and I believe God for success.” In the junior category, it was a fierce mental warfare that saw Oluwafunmbi Fakorede of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun State and Dennis Balogun of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State secure the final tickets for their respective schools.
Maje Shuaibu of NTIC Kano Boys, Kano State; Oluwafunke Alabi of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State; Micah Gabriel of Evangel College, Gombe, Gombe State and Toyosi Olorunfemi of Model Secondary School, Ilesanmi Village, Oba-Ile, Akure, Ondo State however, did not crash out without a fight, as the contest stretched into a tie breaker twice.
After a hard fought intellectual battle, Balogun and Fakorede carried the day. They expressed confidence in their abilities to do well in the final contest. “I feel great to get to this point, but the battle is not over. I will go and prepare well for the final battle, most especially, I will heed my teacher’s advice to improve on my speed,” an elated Balogun told journalists outside the studio in Lagos.
The airing of the programme continues this weekend; AIT Network on Saturday, 7. 00p.m; TVC Lagos, Saturday, 8.00p.m.; NTA Ibadan, Saturday, 9. 30a.m; NTA Kano, Saturday, 2.00 p.m.; CRBC Calabar, Saturday 7.00p.m; NTA Onitsha, Sunday, 5. 00p.m; STV Jos, Sunday, 5.00 p.m. Also, you can watch it on DSTV Channel 154 on Saturday, 9.00 p.m.
The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is N1m and an all-expense paid educational excursion abroad for the student and N400,000 each for the teachers of the winning students are the key drivers of the keenness in the students to outdo each other and keep Nigerians glued in anticipation.
