Oluwatunmise Idowu, a student of Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota, Ogun State once again stunned the organisers of the on-going 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show with her performance in the second semi-final of the competition last weekend.
Tunmise who survived a tensed second ’60 seconds of fame’ to qualified for the final stage of the competition, disclosed that she actually practices mathematics to relax herself and unwind. “When I am tensed, I simply pick up my mathematics workbook and solve some equations. My nerves will relax and I will regain my composure immediately. So, Mathematics works for me…and I pray I win this competition at the end of the day,” she said.
She had earlier set a record by answering 17 questions in one minute in the preliminary rounds of the competition to beat the record of 15/60 seconds set last year, by Ayodeji Akinkuowo of Adeyemi Demonstration College, Ondo State. Akinkuowo eventually won the competition.
The daughter of a Mathematics teacher slugged it out in the semi-final 2 with Favour Okeke of Loyola Jesuit, Abuja; Amarachi Imo of Federal Government College, Owerri, Imo State; Glory Okoli of The Ambassador College, Ota, Ogun State; Onyedikachi Upkabi of Britarch Secondary School, Umuahia, Abia State; and Angelica Uzo of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja.
The thirteen year old, who said she spends four hours practicing Mathematics every day, also hope to win the crown this year. “I want to win. My parents want me to win, just like my school also wants me victorious,” she said.
She is confident of her ability and prays she is able to maintain the current momentum till the final. “Winning the crown will be the greatest gift I want from God this year. Apart from the one million naira prize, the bragging right in my school and among my friends will be inestimable. I can’t wait for the glorious moment. I pray for God’s favour,” Tunmise remarked.
In the senior category, Ayooluwa Oguntade and Taiwo Adeyemi both of The Ambassador College, Ota, Ogun State, moved into the final stage. The duo flew past Kenneth Nwagu of Graceland International College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Samuel Michael of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State; Uren Mador of Redeemed Peoples Academy, Jos, Plateau State; and Mahmud Lawal of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja.
The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is One million naira and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country. The teachers of the winning students will receive Four hundred thousand naira each.
The airing of the programme continues this weekend; AIT Network on Saturday, 7. 00p.m; TVC Lagos, Saturday, 8.00p.m.; NTA Ibadan, Saturday, 9. 30a.m; NTA Kano, Saturday, 2.00 p.m.; CRBC Calabar, Saturday 7.00p.m.; NTA Onitsha, Sunday, 5. 00p.m; STV Jos, Sunday, 5.00 p.m. Also, you can watch it on DSTV Channel 154 on Saturday, 9.00 p.m
