NMC boss seeks support for National Mathematical Olympiad competitions

The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has called on well-meaning Nigerians and private organisations to invest in the National Mathematical Olympiad/ Science competitions, to improve Nigeria’s participation in mathematics competitions globally.

Prof. Stephen Onah, Director/Chief Executive of the centre, made the call during the National Mathematical Olympiad Award Ceremony for 73 outstanding students of mathematical sciences on Thursday in Kwali, FCT.

Onah said conducting the mathematical Olympiad competitions was capital intensive involving huge amount of money for the training of the students and their travelling abroad.

‘‘The Federal Government cannot do it alone, I am calling on all well-meaning Nigerians and private organisations to fund mathematical science/ Olympiad competitions,’’ he said.

He, however, stressed the need for the study of mathematics.

‘‘Studying mathematics helps to develop skills in logical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.

‘‘The country is automatically rated as one with high level of youth development and a country with high potential in science and technology.

He also said that the Olympiad competitions had become so popular across the world, adding that they were being held at the national, regional, continental and international levels.

Also speaking, Dr Enang Moma, Administrator, Nigerian office, UNESCO, expressed satisfaction with the students’ performance in the mathematical Olympiad/sciences competitions.

Moma said that the UNESCO was interested in strengthening and encouraging female students in the study of science education.

‘‘She said UNESCO encouraged female students to have interest in learning science subjects because of the wide gap between the boys and the girls in the learning of sciences.

Contributing, Mr Zakari Mohammed, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, said that learning of sciences would go a long way to assist the country develop effectively in science and technology.