This year’s contest centred on the theme “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Innovating the Future.” The quiz was open to students in S.S. 1 and S.S. 2 across secondary schools in Rivers State.

Government Secondary School Oyigbo triumphed over six other finalists in the grand finale.

Bonny National Grammar School and Niger Delta Science School, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, secured second and third places, respectively.

The remaining finalists were Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori (4th place); Community Secondary School Oroworukwo (5th place); Community Secondary School Ogbogbo, Okrika (6th place); and Enitonna High School Borikiri, Port Harcourt, (7th place).

The competition unfolded in three phases: the Olympiad, the Championship, and the Grand Finale.

In the S.S. 1 category, the competition ended at the Championship stage with Community Secondary School IgboEtche, claiming the top prize.

Niger Delta Science School, and Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Borikiri, earned second and third places, respectively.

“We are exceptionally proud of the students who participated in this competition,” stated Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development.

“Their enthusiasm and knowledge are commendable, and they bring honour to their schools and Rivers State. We aspire that this competition will motivate other young individuals to delve into science and pursue careers in science-related fields,” he remarked.

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Reflecting on the theme in his welcome remarks, Mr. Odeh emphasized that “There is no better time to expose our children and youths to these advancements than now. AI has become so integral to our lives that everyone, in some way, relies on it. From healthcare professionals using AI for precise diagnoses and treatments to students, utilising AI-powered tools for their studies, technology is enhancing our lives in countless ways. The train of progress has left the station, and we must catch up quickly if we want to be significant players in the future.”

Addressing NLNG’s commitment to education, Mr. Odeh stated, “We are proud of initiatives like the NLNG University Support Programme, where we constructed, renovated, and equipped engineering laboratories in six universities across Nigeria’s geo-political zones. We have also supported infrastructural development in host communities, renovating schools, and equipping libraries and science laboratories. Our scholarship programmes —Post-Primary, Undergraduate, and Post-Graduate —continue to support students, particularly in our host communities in Rivers State.”

Representing Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, the Rivers State Commissioner of Education, Mrs Ebere Dennis-Emenike, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Education, emphasised that NLNG has exposed children and youths to the future through the competition.

She added that the children and youths are being equipped with skills to think-out-the-box and fend for themselves.

Dr Peters Nwagor, the chairman of the Rivers State Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), stressed that the quiz has consciously and significantly promoted critical thinking and knowledge, problem solving skill, the development of time management and pressure handling skills, and interdependent and interdisciplinary connection among the students.

He added that the quiz had also fostered teamwork, collaboration and healthy competition among the students.

The competition was organised by Dragnet Solutions Limited in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Education and the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Rivers State Chapter.

The NLNG Science Quiz Competition provides children and youths an interactive way to learn about science, raising awareness of its importance in society.

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He said, Nigerians must at all times rise to protect and defend the interest of the country and not allow parochial, sentimental politics to destroy it.

The governor stated this when a delegation of Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, paid a solidarity visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt, to commend him for his untiring efforts and dedication to protect the interest of ethnic groups living in Rivers State.

The governor said the EndSARS protest was peaceful in the state until IPOB hijacked it, and committed arson by killing 6 Army officers,  4 Police officers, burnt police stations and courts.

According to him, he cannot seat as governor and watch such lawless acts to be perpetrated by a people that has been proscribed by the federal government to cause ethnic war.

“Without any apology, I am a true Nigerian. I believe that things must be done properly in a way that every component part of this country will be satisfied.”

Governor Wike, reiterated that he had never been against any particular ethnic group living in the state, including every law abiding Igbos.

He, however, maintained that as a governor he could not  tolerate a situation where some misguided persons under the guise of IPOB would unleash attack on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State.

He explained that if the State Security Council was not proactive to impose curfew in the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area, the situation would have degenerated to war between Igbo and Hausa community residing in the area.

According to him, the decision forestalled ethnic reprisal attacks that would have led to total breakdown of law and order in Oyigbo local government area and parts of Diobu axis of the state capital.

Governor Wike said all Nigerians must stand against injustice at all times no matter who was involved and be determined to work for the interest of the country.

He further asserted that he was a true Nigerian and would continue to work for its indivisibility.

CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said they were in the state to express their profound gratitude to the governor for his leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, and unwavering commitment deployed in protecting Northern communities from the violence and violation of their rights and dignity during the mayhem in Oyigbo.

“Your concerned promptness in redeeming the solemn pledge of N200 million to the families of security personnel affected negatively by the flip side of the protests is certainly reassuring. We reasonably believe that if the federal authorities were to emulate the wisdom of offering such incentive to our troops on the front line, it would heightened their morale which is a present very low,” he said.

The CNG craved the governor’s  indulgence as the caring and compassionate leader, to extend the same magnanimity to the unfortunate victims of the ugly side of the protests from Northern Nigeria to enable them start over.

“Similarly, we are impressed by your level of rare courage and uncompromising stance in the repudiation of the activities of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples  of Biafra (IPOB)  and it’s fugitive leader Nnamdi Kanu in your state. This, without doubt, is a commendable feat, because if leaders today need to hear the truth, they should be told that most of them have lost the energy and the courage to take responsibility in the interest of national sovereignty, national security, national peace and constitutionalism.”

The delegation was led by the chairman of the board of trustees of CNG, Nastura A. Sheriff.

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