Daniel Emeka-Ilozor, a 10-year-old pupil of Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos State wins the 2016 The Ultimate Mathematics Ambassador competition (TUMA).
Daniel Emeka-Ilozor, a grade five pupil, emerged winner after scoring 93.5 percent. He contested with 347 pupils from different private primary schools in Ogun and Lagos states. He went home with ₦125,000 and a plaque, while his mathematics teacher got ₦50,000 and a plaque and his school was given a laptop, printer, textbooks and a plaque.
The event was sponsored by The Ambassadors Schools, Ota, Ogun State, which also hosted the event that produced 10 winners in all.
Daniel Emeka-Ilozor expressed his gratitude to his school as well as his teachers who supported and helped prepare him for the competition. He, however advised aspiring competitors who would be coming for the next phase of TUMA to believe in their ability and also be confident.
In his words:
“Pupils should be determined. They should strive towards their goals and never be discouraged.”
Mother of the winner, Mrs. Mary-Jane Ilozor, expressed her appreciation to the school for their support toward her child.
She said:
“They have helped him aim and succeed at this competition. It was not an easy task but I thank God for his support. My boy is very confident and always ready to learn even at home. He said to me that he must win this competition even if it is the last thing he would do.”
Adekunle David, a pupil of Lifecrown Private School, Abeokuta and his counterpart in St. Bernadette School, Ipaja Kabiawu Kolawole, emerged second and third positions respectively.
David won ₦100,000 and a plaque, his mathematics teacher got ₦30,000 and a plaque while his school was presented with a laptop, textbooks and plaque. Kabiawu also went home with ₦75,000 and a plaque, his mathematics teacher got ₦20,000 and a plaque, while his school got a printer, textbooks and a plaque.
Other winners were: Olopade Oluwafikunayomi, Duje Samuel, Matilukuro Theresa, Abioye Oluwaponle, Mabinuori Racheal and Aliyu Ideraoluwa.
The guest speaker, Professor Oluwole Agbede said:
“Mathematics is an everyday routine of the house. Without realising it we are using mathematics every day whether we are literate or illiterate.
Mathematics is practical and theoretical. It is the process of thinking and the language we use or an art that we are involved in. We use mathematics while cooking, travelling, banking and at school.”
