The “mental warfare” among Nigeria’s young inventors in the ongoing Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show continued last weekend as Onyedikachi Ukpabi of Britarch Secondary School, Umuahia got a semifinal ticket for Abia State.
Abia State is now the second state from the South East to cruise into the semifinal stage.
Two weeks ago, Amarachi Imo of Federal Government College, Owerri, Imo State secured a semifinal ticket for Imo State and the first for the zone.
Last weekend, 13-year-old Ukpabi, who got a perfect score in the qualifying written exam, entered into a preliminary “battle” against Rukayat Akinola of Miracle International School, Osogbo, Osun State; Oluwafunmbi Fakorede of Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun State; Favour Mayaki of Gloryland Secondary School, Benin, Edo State; Emmanuel Elochukwu of Calvary Arrows College, Markurdi, Benue State; and Solomon Ogbonna of ASCL Staff Comprehensive Secondary School, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
At the end of exciting first and second preliminary rounds, Fakorede joined Ukpabi on the cruise to the semifinal stage.
In the senior category, two female students – Oluwaseun Ahmed of Scholars Universal Secondary, Ota, Ogun State and Uren Mador of Redeemed Peoples College, Jos Plateau State secured the semifinal tickets.
The duo edged out Mayowa Ohunjugbagbe of Greater Tomorrow International College, Ondo, Ondo State; Wisdom Okoro of Michael Opara University of Agriculture Demonstration Secondary School, Awka, Anambra State; Chimezirim Duru of Saint Linus Secondary School, Awo Omamma-Owerri, Imo State; and Ebikade Edoh of Belary Schools, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
Ukpabi, who promised to work on his speed and accuracy, was however confident of his chances in the semifinal and the finals.
He said: “I am looking forward to seeing myself in the finals, and even winning. I will be very happy to win the competition. It will be a good adventure for me and my school. My parents will also be very happy.”
The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is N1 million and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country.
The teacher of the winning students will receive N400,000.
TVC, Lagos at 8pm on Saturday and CRBC, Calabar on Saturday at 7pm have been added to the existing list of TV stations.
You can visit www.cowbellpedia.ng for the full airing schedules.