‘Regular practise of mathematics sharpens pupils’ ability’

The competitors who demonstrated great prowess of the subject in the ongoing game sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand from Promasidor Nigeria Limited, said the perception that Mathematics is a hard subject is a myth.

Israel Adegboyega, a student of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State, who has qualified for the next stage in the senior category, explained that success in Mathematics demands preparation and determination in order to overcome the initial fear that scares a lot of students.

“The magic is that students that are not very good at Mathematics should try and practice it more often in order to improve. For instance, ahead of this competition, I practised Mathematics for about 10 hours daily. It is not hard as perceived by a lot of people.”

Also Isinkaye Praise of Federal Government Academy Suleja, Niger State, who qualified for the semi-finals, last weekend, after squaring up against Fakorede Olufunmbi of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun State and Vincent Ezeanyagu of Baptist High School, Naraguta-Jos, Plateau State, said “Good knowledge of Mathematics nurtures the individual’s reasoning ability, creativity, abstract or spatial thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving ability and even effective communication skills,” he said. The 2018 edition is significant as it marks the 20th anniversary of Cowbell and Mathematics. Prizes have been doubled in the spirit of the celebration.

Other contestants at the preliminary stage included Adegbamiye Oluwagbemiga of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State and Haruna Hassan Kabaju of Nigerian Tulip International College for Boys, Damaturu, Yobe State.

In the junior category, Benny Sampson-Uche of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Jefferson Ejaife of DSC Aladja, Delta State, pulled through to the semi-finals.This was achieved at the expense of 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 Mohammed of Jigawa State Academy for the Gifted, Bamaina, Jigawa State.