16-year-old wins PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge

A sixteen-year-old student, Justin Nwaoha of Isolog College in Ojodu, Lagos, has been crowned champion of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC), becoming the second 16-year-old to win the prize.

Emmanuel Onyekachi, who was then 16 and a final year student of Miketoy College, Ikotun, Lagos, last year emerged the overall winner of the inaugural edition.

Justin beat off competition from three others at the grand finale which held over the weekend.

He garnered a cumulative score of 72% in both the theory and practical sessions of the intensive final.

For his feat, Justin was rewarded with N700, 000 cash, a laptop, a trophy and gold medal. While his chemistry teacher, Mayowa Adeoti, won N100,000 and a plaque.

Justin’s school was also awarded chemistry books worth N100,000.

Jamiu Animashaun of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, who scored a total of 62%, emerged the first runner up.

He was presented with a cheque of N500,000, a laptop and silver medal, while his chemistry teacher, Ann Ajisafe went home with N80,000 cash and a plaque and Animashaun’s school also had chemistry books worth N80,000.

With a cumulative score of 51%, Azeez Balogun of Kingston High School finished as second runner-up with a N400,000 cash prize, a laptop and bronze medal.

His chemistry teacher, Obiora Onyilagha, won N70,000 while his school received N70,000 worth of chemistry books.

Third runner-up Jeremiah Onu of FESTAC Senior College had a total of 40% and got a cash prize of N300,000, a laptop and a consolation medal while his chemistry teacher, Oluwaleke Animashaun got N60,000 and a plaque and his school received N60,000 worth of chemistry books.

This year’s edition, which commenced with call to entry on October 31, was open to SS2 and SS3 students in public and private schools in Lagos State.

Oladele Osibanjo, a professor of Law and chairman of PZCCC advisory board, congratulated PZ Cussons for initiating the competition as a means of popularising chemistry.

“With this competition, I predict a bright future for Nigeria because these students have been exposed to tough test and practical sessions yet they have done exceptionally well,” he said.

Six other students who made the top 10 were also rewarded with N50,000 each.

They are Henry Odinakaeze Chukwuemeka of International School, University of Lagos; Obinnaya Anyanwu of Eletu Odibo Senior High School and Kenechukwu Okwunze of Apostolic Faith Secondary School.

Others are Light Ben Attah of Wellspring College; Modestus Nzubechi Amaechi of Starfied College and Ebube Iwuchukwu of Mill Bank Hall Secondary School.