In furtherance to its commitment to strengthen education, PZ Cussons, Nigeria’s leading manufacturer of healthy home and personal care products has hosted winners of the 2018 Chemistry Challenge at the organization’s head office and factory in Lagos. PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC), is an initiative of the company’s Foundation supported by two top brands, Premier Cool and Nunu Milk.
L-R: Managing Director, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Alex Goma, Winner of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge 2018, Tadese Fatai of Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School Agege, Group Brand Development and Activation Manager Personal Care PZ Cussons Nigeria, Charity Ilevbare-Adeniyi and the ,Second Runner-Up, PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge 2018, Iwuala Chibuzor of Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School, Agege during the courtesy visit and factory tour of PZ Cussons in Lagos.
The visit which was to appreciate the organization for adding value to science education and building a future for the Nigerian student, had in attendance the Managing Director, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Mr Alex Goma, other top management staff, Parents and Teachers from the various schools that got to the final of the 2018 competition.
The winners went round the company’s research and development department, home and personal care factories to witness how chemistry is applied to product development and production of finished products.
Speaking while receiving the winners, Managing Director, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Mr. Alex Goma, reiterated the aim of the competition and how important it is for the winners not to stop at just winning the competition, but continually push themselves beyond the limit of classroom knowledge of chemistry to come out best globally. He said, the Chemistry challenge was borne out of the company’s concern to help secure the future of Nigerian students and to call the attention of the government and other stakeholders to the importance of chemistry to everyday life.
A guardian to one of the winners, Mrs. Olamide Salami, noted that ‘what matters is the future, and parents and teachers should plant seeds of greatness for better future’.
She applauded the company for the initiative and appealed for an expansion of the competition to all parts of the country in the next edition.
Mr. Odusanya Tolulope, a teacher from Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School, Agege noted that the competition has impacted his career as a chemistry teacher and spurred his students across the Education cadre to push harder in their studies. He enjoined the government to support PZ Cussons in their efforts to upgrade chemistry learning in Nigeria.
As part of the drive to promote gender equality and balance, Penny International School’s Mercy Nwachukwu went home with the Managing Director’s special award as the last girl standing in the competition. While in the teacher’s category, Odinibe John of Brain Speed Academy emerged winner. Ogbodo Ndubuisi of Vivian Fowler Memorial College and Ishola Ahmed of Cardoso Senior High School came second and third respectively.
Tadese Fatai, the overall winner was awarded the grand prize of One million naira, a trophy and a gold medal. His Chemistry teacher received two hundred and fifty thousand naira and a plaque. PZ Cussons also equipped the Chemistry laboratory of the winning school – Abibat Mogaji Millennium Secondary School – with premium equipment.
Adegoke Pelumi of New Hall International School, who emerged first runner- up was presented with a cheque of Seven hundred and fifty thousand naira and a silver medal. His Chemistry teacher was also rewarded for his effort and his school New Hall International School – was equipped with laboratory materials. Second runner – up, Iwuala Chibuzor, also of Abibat Millennium Senior Secondary School, Agege got Five hundred thousand-naira and a bronze medal.
Launched in 2007, PZ Cussons Nigeria Foundation has been helping Nigerian communities by supporting projects in the areas of education, potable water, health and empowerment. The Foundation has completed over 58 projects in different parts of the country.