Four secondary schools in Port Harcourt have qualified for the grand finale of the first edition of the Education Champions League quiz competition, organised for secondary schools in Rivers State.
The finalists are Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma, Aladumo International School, Enitonna High School and Seacrest Preparatory School, all in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Two students each represented the semi-finalists at the ECL quiz competition which held simultaneously at the Aladumo International School and Seacrest Preparatory School.
While the Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma and Aladumo International School emerged from the Seacrest Preparatory School Centre, Enitona High School and Seacrest Preparatory School came out tops from the Aladumo International School Centre.
The finalists emerged after an intense battle of wits among 16 schools, from the semi-finals which held on 28 September 2024.
The four schools will lock horns at the finals if the ECL quiz competition, scheduled for October 26, 2024, as they will compete for three different awards – the O.B Lulu Briggs, Claude Ake and Boma Erokosima awards respectively.
For the prizes on offer, the champions will grab N10 million, while the first and second runners-up will go home with N5 million and N2.5 million respectively.
Speaking at the end of the quiz, Datom Kio Lawson of Test Integrity Group, coordinators of the competition urged the schools which could not make it to the final stages not to feel inferior to their counterparts, pointing out that there was an element of luck in the quiz.
Lawson stated, “I don’t want any of the schools that didn’t make it to the finals to think that the other schools are better than your school.
“You know a situation like this is always about the luck of the draw. As much as you all read the books, some questions are harder than others. So it’s luck on the draw depending on the question you pick, because some questions are harder than others.
“So it’s not that some schools are better than others. This is the first time and I’m sure that as the competition expands, more schools will take part. I want to congratulate the schools that participated this year and pray that you do better next time.”
For the schools that made it to the finals, he wished them continuous success for their schools saying, “It is not about taking first, second or third, it’s about taking part, that is the main thing, expanding your reading habits and to improve the reading culture in the state.”
Speaking, an official of the league, N’kay Amadi, said, “The Education Champions League aims to revive the reading culture among the youths in Rivers State through engaging in academic debates, arts, and leadership programmes.
“Every participating school has showcased remarkable talent and dedication, making this competition a true celebration of intellect and creativity.”
