By Faith Igbudu
A Benue student from Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School, Makurdi, Yahaya Joseph will be representing the state at the science quiz competition known as the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) competition.
Commissioner for Energy, Science and Technology, Dr Jane Aja announced this Tuesday, at the ICT Hall of the ministry headquarters where three schools each, from the three senatorial zones of the state and the 14 Science and Technical Colleges were invited by the ministry to participate in the YONSPA competition at the state level.
According to the Information Officer of the ministry, Anakaa Shiter, the decision was predicated on the results of the state competition where Yahaya emerged 1st position while his school mate, Ukase Leo came 2nd and Abu Son Samuel of New Covenant Christian College, Makurdi, came 3rd.
“Yahaya Joseph who is the winner of this competition will represent the state at YONSPA, National Science Competition on the 11th of February, 2022 in Abuja where 37 other competitors will be in attendance,” the commissioner said.
She encouraged Master Yahaya to put in more effort and hardwork at the competition, in order to make Benue state proud and urged other students not to relent but work hard to be winners in subsequent competitions.
In her address, Dr Aja assured that she is committed in improving the science and technology sector in line with Governor Samuel Ortom’s policy on science education in Benue state.
Earlier, the Director, Science and Technology of the ministry, Mr David Tyohee, presenting the participants to the commissioner said YONSPA is an annual science quiz competition event where students from 774 local governments in Nigeria compete in their various states and the best is picked to compete with their counterparts from other states.
Mr Tyohee, who said he believes Benue State has all it takes to emerge the best at the national level added that the need to improve and develop students’ love for sciences is the reason for the competition.