4 years on, Cowbell NASSMAC Gets Bigger, Better

L-R: Mr. Onyekachi Onubogu, Executive Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Professor Adewale Solarin, DG/CE, National Mathematics Centre, Abuja and Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor at a press briefing on 2014 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition in Lagos on Monday.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk, has announced its readiness to host this year's edition of its Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition - NASSMAC, promising a bigger and better competition and rewards this year.

The Executive Director (Commercial) of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Kachi Onubogu announced this at a press briefing in Lagos to kick-start activities leading to the 2014 edition of the nationwide competition aimed at encouraging the teaching, learning and study of mathematics and other sciences among secondary school students across Nigeria.

Unarguably Nigeria's longest running mathematics competition for secondary schools, Onubogu stated that this year's edition of NASSMAC is holding within precincts of the 20th anniversary of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

"We are therefore ready to make it big and a landmark that it is," he said, adding that "This iconic competition is already in its 14th year and we are excited about the level of achievement we have made thus far and we are set to celebrate it big."

According to Onubogu, the Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition - NASSMAC, which is in its 14th years of consecutive running has come to stay as a veritable tool for promoting the study of mathematics as a subject among Nigerian students and the public in general.

Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head Legal and Public Relations, Festus Tettey, GM Marketing, Master Iyoha Omonzopia SS1 student, Loyola Jesuit College Abuja (2013 winner of Cowbell NASSMAC) and Mr. Charles Igbinidu, MD TPT International at a press briefing

"NASSMAC has come to be the focal point of the teaching, learning, study and development of mathematics in Nigeria. It is the foundation upon which our journey to economic recovery and prudence must be built if we want to advance as a nation and take our rightful place among developed nations of the world. The importance of mathematics to our development and advancement as a developing economy cannot be over-emphasized. It is the basis of our development pursuits. It is fundamental to every aspect of our life as a nation. We need it in everything we do," he said.

In his keynote speech, the Director -General and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, Prof. Adewale Solarin hailed Promasidor Nigeria Limited as an organisation after his heart, because of what he described as the company's "undying resolve to participate fully in the efforts of my organization to achieve its laudable mandate over the years. Promasidor has earned itself an enviable position on the roll call of our partners in progress.

On her part, Manager, Dairy Category of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Abiola Inawo presented the audience with the rich history of the 14 years of NASSMAC and counting. Her presentation highlighted the landmark achievements that have been made and how the organizers had scaled the hurdles along its path even as NASSMAC journeys to greater heights.

According to her the competition is open to all students between ages 10 – 18 years in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria.

The first stage examination for this year’s competition will hold on Saturday March 15, 2014 in 200 centres in the 36 states and the Federal capital, adding that details of the 200 centres while the second stage examination will take place on Saturday May 14, 2014 in four regions across the country.

The final prize-giving award ceremony is scheduled to hold at the prestigious Le’ Meridian Hotel, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on Thursday June 26, 2014. At this occasion, the best 10 students from each category at the second stage examination will be celebrated as COWBELL MATHEMATICIANS in the presence of all stakeholders including the Minister of Education will be awarded prizes.