A science quiz competition created by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company for Secondary Schools in Nigeria to kick off soon.
By Clarice Azuatalam,
Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has declared that it is creating a buzz around science to demystify it and make it accessible to every child in Rivers State.
Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, who made this declaration in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State , said the buzz will be made possible through science quiz competition . The essence is to make the young and curious to be interested in science as well as be familiar with it.
Odeh who spoke during the this year’s NLNG sponsored science quiz competition in Port Harcourt also noted that science is far from being a subject in the classroom because “it is the most credible vehicle to take us from where we are today to where we wish to be tomorrow.”.
“Science is so pervasive that there is hardly anyone in the four corners of Rivers State that hasn’t today counted on science to achieve one elementary task or the other. The fisherman who wakes up, takes his net, enters his boat, and paddles it to that part of the sea where he hopes to make his big catch has depended heavily on science.
“So is the teacher who woke up this morning, checked his time, his emails and updates on the phone, entered his car and drove to this place. We all depend on science to improve our lives and the way we live it. We depend on science to plan our days and do our tasks. Every new day with new discoveries and inventions, science’s hold on us becomes even stronger and tighter”, he stated.
He also said that the company recognises the importance of science in achieving its vision of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.
Continuing, the NLNG Boss said that the company has through several intervention projects, shown commitment to the development of science, citing the NLNG University Support Programme, targeted at modernizing and equipping laboratories and technical workshops in selected universities in six geopolitical zones in the country; Hospital Support Programme which focuses on increasing capacity in 12 teaching hospitals in the country as well as the Nigeria Prize for Science, which is arguably the most prestigious science prize in Africa.
However, in the quiz competition that was held in three stages namely: the Olympiad, the Championship and the Grand Finale, Niger Delta Science School, Rumuola, Port Harcourt emerged the winner in the Senior Secondary School S.S. 2 category out of seven finalists in the grand finale.
Schools that competed in the S.S. 1 category ended their competition at the Championship stage with Niger Delta Science School, Rumuola, Port Harcourt clinching the top prize while Government Secondary School, Oyigbo and Community Secondary School Igboetche taking the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
This year’s theme is “Net Zero Science” was open to S.S. 1 and S.S. 2 levels in secondary schools in the State at the end of which Niger Delta Science School Rumuola, Port Harcourt emerged the winner out of the seven finalists in the Grand Finale
Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary, Port Harcourt and Enitonna High School, Borikiri, Port Harcourt took the second and third positions, respectively in the Grand Finale.
Other schools that participated in the finals are Community Senior Secondary School, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt which came 4th position; Model Secondary School, GRA, Port Harcourt took 5th position; Community Secondary School, Aleto Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area of the state came 6th while County Grammar School, Ikwerre-Etche came 7th.
All the participating schools were presented with prizes at the Grand Finale ceremony.
However, Odeh who was enthused by the enthusiasm shown by the students, further declared that “we are very proud of the students who participated in this competition,” adding that the students are a credit to their schools and to Rivers State and expressed hope that this competition would “inspire other young people to learn about science and to pursue careers in science-related fields.”
“We are delighted that this year’s science quiz competition is focussed on climate change and net-zero emissions. This is a critical issue that we all need to be aware of, and we believe that this competition will help to raise awareness among young people and inspire them to take action and become agents of change.”
He further stated that NLNG recognises the importance of science in achieving its vision of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.
“We are delighted that this year’s science quiz competition is focussed on climate change and net-zero emissions. This is a critical issue that we all need to be aware of, and we believe that this competition will help to raise awareness among young people and inspire them to take action and become agents of change.”
He stated that the Company recognises the importance of science in achieving its vision of being a globally competitive LNG company thus helping to build a better Nigeria.
Representing the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. (Mrs) Atasia Ngerebara, Director of Science Education in the Ministry, said that NLNG has given opportunity to children who, before now, had no opportunity to showcase their talents.
Ngerebara also said that science is driving development in the world and that there is a need for young scientists and science enthusiasts in Nigeria to be encouraged in innovativeness and creativity adding that the Ministry of Education in the state is fully behind the NLNG Science Quiz Competition.
The competition is facilitated by Dragnet Solutions Limited in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Education and the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Rivers State Chapter.
The NLNG Science Quiz Competition is a great example of how NLNG is promoting science education in Nigeria as it is a fun and engaging way to learn about science, and helping to raise awareness of its importance in our society.
Thus making NLNG is a valuable partner in the effort to promote science education in Nigeria, and its work is making a real difference.
