Earlier today, Sigma Club, UI, hosted her first edition of the Roseline Etuokwu Sigma National Secondary School Competition, involving 6 schools from the different parts of the country, at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
The UI chapter of the oldest students’ organization in Sub-Saharan Africa hosted her first secondary school national quiz competition. The event is the 4th edition but the first at the national level; it started from the inaugural edition in 2021 involving just the secondary schools in Ibadan North local government. Last year, Ambassadors College, Ota, won at the regional level. In 2024, Ambassadors College, Ota; Christ the King College, Onitsha; Deeper Life High School, Yenagoa; Federal Government Academy, Suleja; Gombe High School, Gombe; Al QALAM Science Academy, Gusau; won the quiz at South-West, South-East, South-South, North-Central, North-East, and North-West regions, respectively, and they came to represent their regions at the grand finale. The theme for this year’s quiz is “Empowering the Next Generation: Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership”.
The event started some minutes past 12pm, with the National Anthem and Sigma Club Anthem. Afterwards, a welcome speech was delivered by the Sigma Chief, Eniola Moses, and introduction of dignitaries followed immediately. Honorable Aderemi Oseni, representing Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, gave the keynote speech and two addresses followed from the Chief Host representative and Chairman of the Day, respectively. In his welcome speech, the host of the event, Eniola Moses, retraced the history of the Quiz competition, stating that it first began in 2021 in Ibadan North before including the whole Oyo State in 2022, then South-western Nigeria in 2023, and finally, a National Quiz Competition in 2024.
The quiz commenced, involving the 6 schools that won the regional quiz competition. A short break was observed before the completion of the intense quiz competition. After the final round of what seemed to have been an exhilarating quiz session, Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State, ably represented by Akinola Mofiyinfoluwa and Deborah Seth, came out victorious winning a cash prize of 1 million Naira. 1st runner up, Gombe High School, Gombe, won 750,000 Naira while the 2nd runner up, Al QALAM Science Academy, Gusau, won 500,000 thousand, after a tie-breaker.
Prize presentation followed right after announcement of winners, and the quiz prizes were presented by the UI Alumni Chairman. 10 students in the University of Ibadan were awarded a 100,000 Naira scholarship each by Sigma Club. Two out of the 10 are UIMSAites; Ruth Folorunsho in the 300-level class and Tofunmi Adegoke, in the 400-level class. After the closing remark by Olaoluwa Olagoke, vote of thanks and closing ceremony, which featured the National Anthem and Sigma UI Anthem, ended the event.
Other dignitaries present at the event include Professor Olakunbi Ojuolape Olasope; Professor I. O. Abiona, the Dean of Students Affairs UI; Mr. Tayo Olubanjo, representing the Commissioner for Education; Mr. Bolaji, Access Bank Manager; Professor A. O. Omobowale, Director of Special Duties, UI, Mr. Tayo Malik, Managing Director, Pamatec Nigeria Ltd. etc.
Speaking with Loyalist Oladimeji Muheez, Sigma Chief Scribe, ‘It’s an event aimed at improving, supporting, and promoting intellectual growth, especially among secondary school students. This is not the first of its kind but this is the first time we are having it at the national level. We hope to sustain this through the partnership we have with RAMS Charity Foundation.’
Peter Adeyemo.
