Winners announced at the Closing ceremony of the National Science Fair

L-R: Mr. Ekundare Olubunmi, Country Manager, Intel Corporation, Chief Clement Isok, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology, Akwa Ibom, Prof. Chris Ovuworie- (Lead Judge), Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin, Enyioma Anaba, Head of Marketing, interswitch and Dr. Jerry Orhue, Executive Director, Genius Ilumina at the closing ceremony of just concluded 2014 National Festival of School Science Fair held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

The sponsors of 2014 National School Science Fair has announced its winners as it brings to a close the week-long science competition. This year’s competition showcased intellectual exchange and creativity of science projects ranging from health, food, nutrition to engineering and manufacturing.

The fair sponsored by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Intel Corporation, and Interswitch in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State government awarded prizes for the best science projects ranging from scholarships, laptops, tablets, plaques, desktop, mobile phones, and other gifts that involve personal development.  Top six emerged winners look towards moving up to the next level of representing Nigeria at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (INTEL – ISEF) in the United States for the bigger challenges.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ekundare Olubunmi, Country Manager, Intel Corporation said “We are most delighted to participate at this year’s fair. We are happy that the process that brought us this far has been very credible and transparent; it gives every participant a change to shine and be who you want to be”

Encouraging the students, Olubunmi said; “You are all winners; it takes a lot of courage and determination to do what you have done. It is a chance for you to create what you have now, to develop your scientific mind, working hard to communicate your projects that will be useful to the society even beyond Nigeria. We can only assure you that you are on the right path to global players”

The project exhibition category in which six schools across the country emerged winners has Doregos Private Academy with a 2WP tripowered  generator, Lagos followed by Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School, Uyo with its Nanopiece while Mariam Babangida Girls Science College, Niger State came third with the design and construction of electronic pest control device.

Other winners in the same category include Teo Model College, Bayelsa with a design of traffic control system for the blind while Government technical college, Ikeja Lagos State took the fifth position with its power failure solution project. The last position went to Doregos Private Academy, Lagos for its sustainable and lasting solution to Halitosis.

Delivering the State governor’s speech at the event, was Chief Clement Isok, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of science and Technology stated that “ the government and the people of Akwa Ibom will continue to encourage every good work that will continue to solve tomorrow’s challenges”

The top six winners in the science quiz competition are to represent Nigeria at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (INTEL – ISEF) in Los Angeles, Califonia to compete for USD 4 million in scholarship and awards while they will also take part in a robotic training programme in Lagos to be sponsored by Interswitch.