By Victoria Onyisi
The Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Abbas Masanawa, has commended the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) for initiating and sustaining the Raw Materials Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools across the country.
He acknowledged that the annual quiz competition is a veritable platform for inspiring and nurturing the interest and passion of young Nigerians in raw materials research and development.
While congratulating the participants who emerged from the rigorous and competitive process of selection from the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, the MD commended the students for demonstrating their brilliance and excellence in the field of raw materials research and development.
He said: “You have made your schools, states, and the nation proud. You are the future leaders and entrepreneurs of the raw materials sector, and I urge you to continue to pursue your dreams and aspirations with diligence and dedication.
And to the winners, kudos! You have proven yourselves to be the best of the best, and you have set a high standard for others to emulate. You have earned the respect and admiration of your peers, teachers, and mentors, and you have shown that nothing is impossible with determination and hard work. You have also earned the recognition and support of NIRSAL PIC.
At the end of the exercise, Oritamefa Government Secondary School, Oyo State, emerged first, Federal Government College, Oboshi, Ebonyin State, came second while Federal Science and Technical Secondary School, Juana, Akwa Ibom State, came third.
In his remark, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin, who was represented by one of his Directors from the Council underscored that the quiz competition is not just about testing the student’s knowledge of the abundance of raw materials in our nation, he added that it is about about igniting their curiosity, sharpening your critical thinking skills, and fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said: “As you navigate through these challenging questions, remember that each correct answer is a step closer to a future where you, the brilliant minds of tomorrow, harness the potential of Nigeria’s natural resources to create solutions and drive sustainable development.
“We at NADDC are firm believers in the power of education and knowledge. We are confident that this competition will not only test your existing knowledge but also inspire you to delve deeper, to explore new avenues, and to dream big.
“May the quiz be not just a test, but a springboard for your future endeavours, may it spark your passion for science, technology, and environmental stewardship.
“May it leave you brimming with ideas and ready to contribute to a brighter future for Nigeria.
“To all the participants, we say: take a deep breath, trust your instincts, and let your knowledge shine through. Remember, the true winners here are all of you for participating in this exciting journey of discovery.
“To the organizers, we extend our deepest gratitude for your dedication and vision. You have created a platform that will inspire a generation and shape the future of our nation.
“May the best team win! And may this Raw Material Quiz Competition leave a lasting legacy of knowledge, innovation, and a deep appreciation for the riches our land holds.”
In his presentation, the Director General/CEO, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, expressed optimism that there is no doubt the RMRDC annual competition would help in inspiring the interest of young people in raw materials research and development.
He added that the competition would help nurture future entrepreneurs in raw materials processing and manufacturing, therefore, helping to spur Nigeria’s Industrialization and economic growth in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for Renewed Hope.
He said: “I wish to congratulate the participating secondary schools, teachers, and students for their performances and the organisers for their dedication in arranging this competition that will promote raw materials and manufacturing to the future generation.
“Also, to Prof. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, the DG/CEO of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, this is worth emulating.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Director Federal Capital territory (FCT), Science Technology Innovation (STI) Education, Mr. Olobashola Kolawole, acknowledged that there is no doubt that this competition which involves participation of students from the 36 states and FCT is geared towards building future researchers and entrepreneurs in the development, processing and manufacturing of raw materials.
He explained that natural resources are simply the fundamental raw materials that supplies basic substances to be manufactured, adding that there will be nothing technically to depend on if there is no presence of natural resources.
The Director, said: “That is why as a nation there is need to tap into these resources, turn them into valuable products that can contribute to the economic growth of our nation.
“I want to believe that this competition will not only expose the students to the various raw materials we have in our nation but it will also arouse the interest of the young people on the development and utilization of our local materials.
Kolawole, commended RMRDC for putting up this quiz competition for students from the 36 states of the country.
The annual competition, according to him, has not only increased the knowledge of Nigerian students to the various raw materials available but also enhanced their research potential and build up their confidence to look inward and see how to make a career by developing and utilizing the local contents in the nation.
“We hope the exposure the students have gained during this competition will enhance their learning and contribute to the growth of the nation.” He said.