Samuel Ajayi Crowther School wins MasterMind Quiz

he Star Rising NGO, in partnership with Zenith Bank, among others, made Children’s Day a memorable one for children from different government schools in Lagos. 

The Master Mind Quiz Competition was held to test the capabilities of Secondary School children in public schools, thereby encouraging them to work harder at their studies. The Master Mind is an initiative of Mrs Kay Ovia, wife of the Zenith Bank Managing Director. In addition to the Quiz, the Star Rising also organises a musical talent hunt competition, with the same name. The star rising Mastermind Education Initiative held its second annual competition where different schools in Lagos came together during the event to show true test of knowledge, making each student realize that there were no winners or losers at the event. 

15 public Secondary schools within Lagos participated in the competition. Rola secondary school came second, while Stadium College was third. Participants from Ajayi Crowther Mermorial College were given N150,000, while the school got 50,000. They also won scholarship up to any University of their choice within Nigeria. Second runner ups, were given 120,000 with lots of goodies, while third runner- up got N100,000 and lots of goodies. The competition was held to test the capabilities of these children thereby encouraging them to work harder at their studies. Speaking at the event, Mrs Abi Ayoku stated that “Mrs Kay Ovia has always had so much interest in children’s welfare, education and other aspects. 

Two years ago, she came up with the Star Rising Mastermind Initiative. Star-rising looks into the talents that children have while Master mind looks into the Academics. Basically, we reach out to students, teachers and institution to make them realize that this is really a genuine cause. Money is not taken from either students or teachers of these schools. The Master mind education initiative is purely a free event. 

The students win scholarships from the Jim Ovia foundation on merits based on their performance. Mrs Kachi Onyeagwu further disclosed that “Our focus is in picking children from government schools cut across Lagos. We want to really give the opportunity to those who do not have. That’s the reason behind why we picked government schools. For now, master mind is restricted to just within Lagos and we are going round the six geographical zones”. 

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Ngozi Eze stated that “The role of the government in this is their approval and to give us a go ahead. Because they are under age, we always need permission from the government and we cannot do anything without that. They granted us that permission and went ahead to invite the school districts to attend”. Mrs Puwam Dani said that “The founder’s mission is to eventually build a centre. Hopefully we will get enough sponsors. Over the years, we had centre’s for the winners of all these events we are having. They have tutors and facilities for them to come on board so that’s what we really want to do for them”.