The 2019 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,( NNPC) National Science Quiz Competition held in Abuja, on Thursday 21st November 2019, has been won by Messrs Ojo Oluwatobi Samuel from Ogun State, as he beats other contenders from the six geo-political zones to clinch the top prize.
The event which was hosted by the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, had key high-level dignitaries including, Alh. Aliko Dangote (President, Dangote Group of Companies), H.E. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Executive Governor of Kaduna State), H.E. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Executive Governor of Bauchi State) and the Executive Governors of Benue State and Taraba State, represented by the Deputy Governors, Engr. Benson Abounu and Honourable Haruna Manu, respectively, amongst others, also saw Mbazu Justice Chinonso from Ebonyi State taking the second place, and Great Nwachukwu Ugochukwu from Abia State taking the third position.
The 2019 NNPC National Science Quiz competition saw about 18 kids competing in the Grand Finale, with three each representing the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva who headlined the Grand Finale of the National Science Quiz Competition, said the event is the Corporation’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event.
According to the statement released by Garba Deen Muhammad who is the GGM/Special Adviser on Media Office of the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said Chief Sylva in his welcome remarks, urged Corporate Organizations to be proactive in giving back to the society while carefully curating social impact events that will spur growth, development and capacity building of young Nigerians.
He name-checked the huge value that the National Science Quiz Competition which commenced in the year 2000, has had in improving in-country education while applauding NNPC for championing the initiative which is in its 19th consecutive year.
Chief Sylva applauded all the participants drawn from all the States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory. He specifically congratulated the 18 Grand Finale participants drawn from 18 States of the Federation namely; Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Kogi, Benue, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, Borno and Bauchi.
He congratulated the Grand prize winner, Ojo Oluwatobi Samuel of Ogun State, the first runner-up, Mbazu Justice Chinonso of Ebonyi State, and the second runner-up, Great Nwachukwu Ugochukwu of Abia State.
In a collaborative statement, the Special Guest of Honor, Alh. Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group of Companies asserted that since its inception in 2000, the NNPC National Science Quiz Competition has groomed the next generation of scientists and thought leaders in Nigeria; young men and women who are set to be at the vanguard of innovation and industrial growth.
He further noted that by creatively engaging these young minds, NNPC has continued to define a noble path for the future well-being of Nigerians.
The GMD of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, in his Statement, disclosed that a recent evaluation of the initiative since 2000, put the career success rate among past winners across the Federation at 97 per cent. He further noted that in the 19 years of existence of the National Science Quiz Competition, 47,628 students have participated, annually and past winners have gone on to become successful engineers, medical doctors, environmental scientists and ICT professionals etc.
The #NNPCQuiz2019 was inaugurated in the year 2000 and was initially limited to participants from the Niger Delta but subsequently expanded to include participants from all the States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, in 2001. This year’s event marks the 19th edition of the annual context.