Niger Delta Science School wins 2023 NLNG Science Quiz
Niger Delta Science School, Rumuola, has emerged winners of the 2023 Nigeria LNG Limited’ science quiz competition in Rivers State, out of seven secondary schools in the grand finale of the competition.
The 2023 edition of competition which began in April, was held in three stages: the Olympiad, the Championship and the Grand Finale; with focused on the theme “Net Zero Science” and was open to S.S.1 and S.S. 2 levels in secondary schools in Rivers State.
Niger Delta Science School emerged the winner out of seven finalists in the grand finale. Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School and Enitonna High School, Borikiri took the second and third positions, respectively.
Other schools who participated in the finals were Community Senior Secondary School, Rumuomasi (4th position); Model Secondary School, GRA (5th position); Community Secondary School, Aleto Eleme (6th position); and County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche (7th position).
Speaking, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh, said the company recognises the importance of science in achieving its Vision of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.
“Science is so pervasive that there is hardly anyone in the four corners of Rivers State and the world who hasn’t today counted on science to achieve one elementary task on the other. The fisherman, the teacher, the engineer, the doctor, the artist and just everyone. 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.
“For us at NLNG, science is far from being a subject in the classroom, it is the most credible vehicle to take us from where we are today to where we wish to be tomorrow. Like I said before, we must demystify science to make it accessible to every child in this state. One way of doing this is to create a buzz around it. This time, the buzz is a quiz competition around the subject matter. This way the young and curious can be interested in it, can be familiar with it, can,” he said.
Odeh also commended all the students who participated in the competition right from the first stage, adding that NLNG has through several intervention projects, shown commitment to the development of science, such as the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Science, which he said was arguably the most prestigious science prize in Africa.
He further cited the NLNG University Support Programme, targeted at modernizing and equipping laboratories and technical workshops in selected universities in six geopolitical zones in the country, as well as Hospital Support Programme which focuses on increasing capacity in 12 teaching hospitals in the country.
“We are very proud of the students who participated in this competition. They showed great enthusiasm and knowledge, and they are a credit to their schools and to Rivers State. We hope that this competition will 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.”
Also, the Rivers State commissioner for education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, said science was driving development in the world and that there was a need for young scientists and science enthusiasts in Nigeria to be encouraged in innovativeness and creativity.
Mmom who was represented by Director of Science and Education at the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Ataisi Ngerebara, applauded NLNG for giving opportunity to children who, before now, had no opportunity to showcase their talents, assuring that the Rivers State Ministry of Education was fully behind the NLNG Science Quiz Competition.
Meanwhile, having watched their school settle for third place in the 2022 edition, the overall winners for Niger Delta Science School, Master Ahunanya Onyedikachi and Master Mgbemele Victor, were elated to take home the prize in the 2023 edition.
The duo who were inebriated with joy, commended NLNG for sponsoring the competition and for giving the opportunity to showcase their academic prowess, also promised to keep making Rivers state and Nigeria proud.
“We are very excited and happy. We are elated and overjoyed. We are overwhelemed and we lack the right words to describe the feeling. We say a very big thank you to NLNG. You know it’s not every day that opportunities like these come, and just for free, and we like the work they (NLNG) are doing for us students. We are grateful,” they said.
