Governor Godwwill Akpabio has decried the use of electronic gadgets such as calculator by Nigerian students in solving mathematical problems, stressing that such does not help in their mental capacity and development.
The governor who stated this when the Chairman, Cowbell Group, Keith Richards paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo to present to him winners of the 2014 Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition held in the state, remarked that “Mathematics in our schools should not be a subject of only calculator, but it should be a subject of mental calculation to developing the brain power of our children.
“Education is one of the tools used to fight vices in our society. That is why I must commend Cowbell Group and the National Mathematical Centre for this competition, which is a great initiative for quality education that can be used to fight vices in the society.
“Lack of education could cause some of the vices in our society. And as one of the Governors in the Niger-Delta region of the country, I had to use education to fight some of the vices such as militancy and peer group influence”, he noted.
“So, I had to introduce the free and compulsory education policy, which is open to all Nigerian children resident in the state. We also did expansion of schools, equipped facilities in the schools and so far we have built about 3,000 classroom blocks in that state because this is a state that places high priority on education”.
“We have also abolished the houseboy/girl syndrome and introduced free medical treatment for children from 1-5 years of age. And this state is one of the states in the country that has eliminated polio drastically”, he said.
Akpabio who thanked Cowbell Group and the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja for what they are doing for Nigerian children, said such would continue to endear Cowbell company to the hearts of Nigerians, congratulating the participants for doing so well in the competition and believing that in the nearest future, winners would emerge from Akwa Ibom.
Speaking earlier, Richards had stated that the company sponsored and managed 29,000 students who sat for this year’s competition, disclosing that prizes of the competition comprise school books, computers, among others.
Richards who was accompanied by Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Prof. Adewale Solarin, among others, said the competition is a long-standing competition to sustain and develop their immediate community.
Hinting that the competition and awards ceremony are usually held in Abuja but they have decided to bring that of this year to the state, he assured to bring next year’s competition to the state and thanked Governor Akpabio for doing well in the eduction sector in the state and for the massive development of the state.
Follow Us