Eight out of 110 students from 30 secondary schools in Onitsha Educational Zone have emerged victorious in this year’s annual science quiz competition conducted by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA, Onitsha chapter.
Master Joseph Chukwuemeka Ali, an SS3 student of the Holy Spirit Secondary School, Omagba Phase 1, Onitsha, won the first prize of N10,000, a plaque and certificate, while Somtochukwu Eziora, an SS3 student of St. Charles College, Inland Town, Onitsha won the second prize of N7,500 with certificate, just as Ifechukwu Ogbuagu, also an SS 3 student of St. Charles College won the third prize of N5,000 and a certificate.
The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions were won by Amara Ilodigwe, Nzube Okoroafor, Somtochukwu Nnadi Chiamaka Nwoko and Somto Chibuzo respectively and were rewarded with a cash prize of N1,000 each. Speaking at their annual dinner and prize-giving day celebration at the weekend, the Vice-President of the association, Prof. Law Onyekwe disclosed that the essence of introducing the annual quiz competition among the students was to encourage the youths to take to education.
Onyekwe who is also a Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, also disclosed that the competition was introduced by the Alumni since 2006 for the purpose of sharpening the students’ brains.
In their own speeches, the Chairman of Education Committee of UIAA, Onitsha Chapter, Sir Ignatius Nduka; Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Sir Eddy Emegoakor who is also the Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor; a founding member of the Alumni, Dr. Joe Uyamadu who is also the Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Dental Hospital, Onitsha and a member of the organizing committee, Dr. Azubuike Nweje who is also the Chief Medical Officer at Ifitedunu General Hospital, further disclosed that apart from the annual quiz competition, the association usually visit Motherless and Charity Homes with gift items and at the same time administer free medical treatments on the inmates who are sick.
