Africa’s leading
digital payment and commerce company, Interswitch has announced the nine
finalists competing for their share of N12.5 million worth of scholarships in
the 5th edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition slated to
hold on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
As a key
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Interswitch Group, the
InterswitchSPAK competition aims to inspire interest in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among senior secondary school
students. This milestone edition commemorates the fifth anniversary of the competition,
symbolizing Interswitch Group's steadfast commitment to advancing STEM
education across Africa.
From a pool of
81 outstanding students from various secondary schools across Nigeria who have
competed head-to-head to showcase their speed,
perseverance, accuracy, knowledge and problem-solving
skills in STEM subjects, the participants have whittled down to the top nine finalists.
The nine
finalists include: Best Isijola, from Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Oyo
State; Ayobami Ibigbami, from St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos State;
Emmanuel Omoegbelaghan from The Cresent International School, Ogun State;
Emmanuel Angelo-Hyuwa, from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State and Akinola
Mofifoluwa, from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State.
Others are Jesse
Obed, from Graceland International School, Rivers State; Abraham Daramola, from
Hallmark Secondary School, Ondo State; Otana Agunbiade, from OAU International
School, Ile-ife, Osun State, and Raphael Ogwanighie, from St. Finbarr’s
College, Lagos State.
These finalists
have exhibited exceptional brilliance
across various STEM subjects throughout the highly competitive phases of
the show, and they will be vying for the coveted prizes
in what promises to be an intense and gratifying grand finale.
The first-place
winner will be rewarded with a university education scholarship, valued at N7.5
million that spans five years, inclusive of a monthly stipend, a brand-new
laptop, and the bragging rights as the best STEM student in Nigeria.
The second-place
winner will receive a N4 million university education scholarship spread over
three years, including a monthly stipend, and a brand-new laptop. The
third-place winner will be rewarded with a N1 million scholarship spanning an entire year
of university education.
Culminating in USD6 million worth of prizes over the last 5 years
between Nigeria and Kenya, the prizes stand as a
testament to Interswitch Group's dedication to recognizing and rewarding
excellence in STEM education.
Speaking on the milestone edition of
the InterswitchSPAK competition in
Nigeria, Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing
Director, Interswitch Group, expressed the company's delight in witnessing the
exceptional performance and dedication of the participating students.
He said
"The InterswitchSPAK initiative is not just a competition but a
transformative journey that empowers young minds to envision, pursue and secure a future in
STEM, ultimately contributing to innovative initiatives and development in Nigeria and
Africa as a whole."
In the same
vein, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Marketing and
Communication Officer, Interswitch Group, emphasized Interswitch's pride in
witnessing the commendable talent and grit exhibited by the top nine finalists. She highlighted that this
stands as a testament to the promising future that STEM education holds for the
youth of Africa.
“InterswitchSPAK
reaffirms our dedication to nurturing and empowering the next generation of
innovators and problem-solvers and it is aimed at bridging the gap in STEM
education in Nigeria and across Africa at large” she remarked.
She further said
that the grand finale promises to be a celebration of academic excellence as
these young STEM champions compete for the ultimate recognition and
life-changing rewards.
In anticipation
of the grand finale, the show continues to air on DSTV Africa Magic Family
Channel 154 every Sunday at 6:00 pm with a repeat broadcast on Wednesdays at
3:30 pm on the same channel. Alternatively, you can watch the
broadcast on AIT Network every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
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