Delta State Technical High School has emerged Champions of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Secondary School Quiz Competition.
At the Finals in Port Harcourt Rivers State, the Technical High School defeated other eight schools representing different States in the region in a keenly contested quiz competition.
To carry the day, Delta State scored seventy points, Ondo State and Akwa Ibom were tied on fifty five points each as first and second runners up, while Rivers State brought up the rear with thirty five points.
Speaking at the grand finale, Managing Director NDDC, DR. Samuel Ogbuku explained that the the competition was to discover areas of lapses among secondary schools in the region to serve as guide for intervention.
Represented by Director, Education Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, Dr. Ogbuku stated that the choice of science subjects for the quiz was because of the focus on Science , Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-STEM, for the Fourth Industrial revolution.
“We are trying to get the best of the best in the schools in Niger Delta region.
We want to achieve the fact that Children of Niger Delta have value for education. Secondly, we want to know the gaps and weaknesses, which areas the schools need more help. If you follow the competition, you would notice that for instance, like Chemistry, generally across board across nine states, there seems to be a weakness compared to say like Mathematics”
According to the MD, the commission would soon roll out Local Nigeria based post graduate scholarship programme as part of capacity building scheme among young people in the region.
While expressing joy over the success of the competition, he told the people that NDDC has intervened in various areas in the education sector, such as building of hostels, distribution of education aid gadgets, building and renovation of schools in different communities, donation of desks, chairs and tables among others.
On the Journey to the finals, the consultant, Mr. Jude Ndubuisi described it as remarkable, saying that the schools were winners in their various states right from the preliminary stages.
Mr. Ndubuisi appreciated NDDC for being committed to youth empowerment, capacity building and educational advancement initiatives.
In their reactions, the champions, Efeyena Michael and Faustina Oghenerukevwe, representing Delta State Technical High School admitted that the experience was worthwhile and applauded NDDC for the opportunity.
The winners who were given two million naira prize money and trophy for the school, five hundred thousand naira and a laptop each, said the gesture was motivational for their academic journey.
Similarly, first Runner-up, Oyemekun Secondary School Ondo got One million, Five hundred thousand naira as well as two hundred and fifty thousand naira and a laptop each for two of the representatives, while second runner-up, Rayfield International School Akwa Ibom got eight hundred thousand naira for the school and one hundred thousand naira with a laptop for each of the two participants.
Every other school cum State was represented by two contestants also and were given consolation prizes of a tablet and twenty thousand naira.
