By Chimezie Godfrey
A student of Federal Government College,Warri,Delta State, Isioma Nelson Ifeanyichukwu
has emerged winner of the NNPC 2017 Annual National quiz Competition Grand Finale,held today at the NNPC headquarters,Abuja.
Ifeanyichukwu was declared winner of the award after he recorded 75 points to beat 17 other contestants to the top position in the quiz covering Chemistry, Mathematics,and NNPC General Knowledge respectively.
The 2nd position was clinched by Benjamin Chisom Chinueze of Dority International Secondary School, Abia Sate,and the 3rd position to Akingbulugbe Oluwatobloba of Hallmark Secondary School Ondo, Ondo State.
The Group Managing Director,Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),Dr.Maikanti Kacalla Baru,FNSE,in his opening address said that the overall winner of the competition will be given a scholarship award of N300,000,which will be granted per session,while the 2nd and 3rd placed winners will receive a scholarship award of N250,000 and N200,000 respectively per session for the duration of their tertiary education.He has also provided a grant of N100,000 each for all States’ Winners of the
competition,begining from this year.
Baru,said,” the NNPC prizes education dearly.In this respect, our arc tilts towards Science,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics(i.e.STEM Subjects) branches of knowledge,given the great roles they play in nation-building.
“For a reason STEM Education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy,and enables the next generation of innovators.Innovation is one of the pillars of any progressive economy.”
He congratulated all the contestants,saying,”It has been a long journey to this Amphitheater today,and no matter who carries the day,you are all winners.It was not easy to emerge top in your state and top three(3) in your zone…”
He thanked all distinguished guests present for coming to support the contestants and the NNPC.”I am sure that your presence today will spur all the participants to the level of excellence never before seen in this competition.Your presence is also a testament of the premium you put on education in your respective constituencies,he said.”
The first Winner of the Quiz Competition 2001,Aliyu Sunday said that watching the students brought a lot of memory.He thanked the NNPC for sustaining the National Quiz Competition.He said,’I can proudly say that am a product of the Nigerian Content,”
He encouraged the young ones to keep doing the good work and to always be humble,borrowing the words of Chinua Achebe, he said, “The man whose Palm carnel has been cracked for by a benevolennt hand should not forget to be humble”.
The Minister of State for Petroleum resources,Dr.Ibe Kachukwu said that the Grand Finale was a very unifying event especially at this time when the nation was facing a myriad of crises.He thanked
all the contestants and other distinguished guests present,especially the governors,namely, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Aminu Tambuwa of Sokoto State.Other top dignitaries present at the event were the Special Guests of Honor,The speaker House of Representatives,Yakubu Dogara,represented by Hon.Joseph Akinlaja,House Chairman Petroleum Resources(Downstream), the FCT Minister,represented by senator, Isa Maina, among others.
