InterswitchSPAK
was designed to encourage students’ interest in Science Technology Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) education, and to facilitate the use of innovative
solutions to solve Africa’s challenges.
For
13 weeks, the show will air at 6.30pm every Saturday on DSTV Africa Magic
Family Channel 154, and at 6:30 pm on Sundays on the AIT Network.
Viewers
are enjoined to catch the programme and witness the brilliance of Nigerian students
as they showcase their knowledge of, and passion for STEM subjects.
The
competition attracted thousands of entries from public and private secondary
school students across Nigeria , from which 81 students were shortlisted to
compete for a total prize of N12.5 million.
The
first prize winner will be rewarded with a N7.5 million scholarship prize,
among other prizes; the second prize winner will receive a scholarship worth N4
million, while the third-place winner will also receive a N1 million
scholarship.
Speaking
on the significance of the competition, the MD/CEO of Interswitch, Mitchell
Elegbe, reiterated the need for more students from Africa to venture into the
STEM field and compete on the same stage as their global counterparts.
To
build the future of Africa, he said efforts need to begin today, and
Interswitch, through its InterswitchSPAK initiative - the company’s flagship CSR
initiative, is one step away from achieving this goal.
Adding
to that, the Group Chief Marketing & Corporate Communications Officer,
Interswitch Group, Cherry Eromosele, said that the global pandemic of 2020 proved
that technology and its use cannot be overlooked as the world relies on it for
communication, among other things.
"We
have identified the need to engage students not only in Nigeria but in Africa,
to partake in a future that would benefit the continent and the globe,"
she said.
Eromosele
added, "InterswitchSPAK remains committed to identifying these bright and
high-flying students and providing them with the platform that will not only
spur their desire in the STEM field, but will also provide tools and resources
to support them.
"We
encourage students of secondary school age and their parents to tune in to the
program and be inspired by the competition."
The
annual InterswitchSPAK competition continues to encourage STEM education among
students in Africa by rewarding bright minds, while driving innovation and offering
opportunities to these students.
Oyindamola
Aje, a 16-year-old student of Jesuit Memorial College in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State defeated eight other shortlisted contestants to emerge the winner of the InterswitchSPAK
2.0 competition. He went home with N7.5 million worth of tertiary education
scholarship, a laptop, and a monthly stipend.
Oluwatobi
Ojo of Apt Scholars Universal College, Ogun State, emerged as the first
runner-up while Onyekachi Madumere of Scholars Universal Secondary School in
Ogun State was the second runner-up in the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 edition.
Comments
Post a Comment