By In a show of support for science education, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA has awarded a total of N850,000 to the top 10 finalists of the 13th Rotary Einstein Science Challenge in Rivers State.
The winner walked away with N300,000 and a trophy, while the first and second runners-up received N200,000 and N100,000 respectively, along with plaques. The other seven finalists were also not left out, each receiving N50,000 for making it to the final round.
Speaking at the event held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the club president, Rotarian Douglas Okafor, said the challenge is part of Rotary International’s efforts to discover and support young scientific minds across Nigeria. “Today was one of our biggest days in the Rotary calendar,” he said.
Okafor explained that the competition began 10 weeks ago with 100 students from various secondary schools across the state. After several stages of testing and mentoring, the pool was narrowed to the final ten who competed for top spots. “It didn’t start today,” he added. “These students were trained and mentored for weeks.”
He emphasized the role of science and technology in poverty reduction and nation-building, citing global examples. “It’s not easy being a scientist, but still it is the best way… It is how the Chinese have been able to move millions out of poverty,” he said. He also hinted at an even larger turnout next year with over 100 schools expected to participate.
Ugonna Obi, a student of Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Borokiri, emerged as the overall winner. “This exhibition I presented today, I started working on it when I was in junior secondary school,” he shared proudly. “My project was not just for exhibition, it is for the safety of everyone.”
