70 Oyo, Ogun schools to benefit from group’s initiative on Biology 

70 prominent schools drawn from Oyo and Ogun States are to benefit from the third edition of the CELL IS LIFE inter-school Biology competition.
The initiative, which will feature schools in Ibadan and Abeokuta later in the year, according to a statement signed by the Executive Director of the organisation, Funmilayo Sodipo, is aimed at “promoting the interest of secondary school students in Biology science and creating an atmosphere where students can learn key topics in their fundamental biology.”
CELL IS LIFE, a social initiative of Supreme Pearls Corporate Services Limited, according to the statement, intends “to expand bigger and better in the 3rd edition of the interschool Biology competition that will feature 70 prominent secondary schools across Ibadan, Oyo state and Abeokuta, Ogun State.”
Sodipo added: “The competition is designed to help us further achieve our vision to be a foremost initiative dedicated to the promotion and advancement of science education in Nigerian schools. And the mission: to promote the interest of secondary school students in the sciences through competitions, regular seminars, talks and giving educational aids to students.
“Practically, we hope to also use the competition to prepare the current crops of secondary school students for outstanding success in Biology in the next WASSCE, NECO and UME examinations.”
Sodipo explained that the three phases of the competition include “screening phase,” which is the first stage of the competition where each participating school conducts an internal selection process where they get to choose who will be representing their school at the first stage of the competition.
She added that the “examination phase” will have students representing each school converge to write a written examination in Biology, saying it consists of both objective and essay questions designed and prepared by academic professionals in line with relevant syllabi to test their knowledge in the subject.
“From this phase, only 10 secondary schools get to advance to the next stage – The Grand Finale,” the statement further explained.
The last phase, according to Sodipo, is the “Quiz Phase” and it is expected to feature the 10 successful schools from the examination phase.
She added: “The qualifying schools will get to battle it out in a tight quiz competition session and from this, three winners are expected to emerge as the eventual winners of the competition.
“This phase also witnesses a lecture on best practices of teaching and learning the subject as well as debate competition from university students to further inspire the younger ones.”
While the screening phase is ongoing in individual secondary schools in the affected states, the examination phase, according to Sodipo, is expected to hold on October 11, 2019 at Zoology Department Lecture Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan and a major lecture theatre in the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The statement further stated that the Quiz Phase will take place on November 15, 2019 at Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
On the proposed prizes, she said representatives of the first 20 schools from the examination will be given medals and different educational items like books, pens, school bags and so on, while students in the Quiz phase will get N200,000, first position; N150,000, second position; and N100,000 for the third position.
The first overall student will be given a scholarship offer from a prominent private university in Nigeria.
Sodipo further stated: “In addition to the cash prizes, the students will also be given textbooks, practical equipment and other educational support items.
“They will also be the Initiative’s ambassadors for the next one year in order to inspire other students. And participating schools — the three winning participating schools receive plaques.”
The initiative was launched to specifically to promote the interest of secondary school students in the sciences through competitions, regular seminars, talks and giving educational aids to students, with the objective to create an atmosphere where students can learn, relearn and unlearn key topics in their fundamental biology.
The project was also intended to fill the vacuum that has been created by the ineffectiveness of extracurricular activities and activity clubs such as Jet club, press club, drama club, and others in the secondary schools; create stronger bond and foster educative interactions amongst students and boost the morale of the students; give every student an opportunity to prove themselves worthy academically; and serve as an avenue to give financial help to academically sound but indigent students.