….. beats 10 other students in different categories, says development motivated by zeal to curb corruption
A Sixteen year old Michael Ukere from the Niger Delta Science Secondary School has emerged winner of the Rotary Einstein Science Challenge 2022 held in Port Harcourt.
Michael Ukere who competed amongst other 10 senior secondary school students in different categories built an Electronic Voting Machine.
Excited Ukere Michael said his motivation to build an Electronic Voting Machine was borne out of the need to reduce corruption in the country’s electoral Voting process.
He said “This is beyond winning. This Rotary Einstein Science Challenge impacted a great deal in me. This type of learning/knowledge is not common in schools and classrooms. This machine I built is to get rid of corruption in our country during elections. Electorates votes will count with this machine. It will also enable people cast their votes in any election without papers and thumb printing. After this challenge, I will go ahead and build more projects. Thank you Rotary International, I’m really grateful to the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA for this epic opportunity”, winner, Ukere said.
Meanwhile, the President Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA OFON HARCOURT-WHYTE said the competition is a Signature Project of the club organized since the 2012/2013 Rotary year, with main objectives to enlighten the participants on the applications of scientific principles to everyday life which will sharpen their skills and enable them select and then excel in their chosen career paths.
She explained that the Tenth Season of the Rotary Einstein Science Challenge 2022 ended with a closing ceremony where the 10 finalist presented their science projects and were assessed by Heads of department of Bio chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering from the Rivers State University where the top 3 were selected.
On her part, Past President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA and the Chair, Rotary Einstein Science Challenge Season Ten, Veronique Tabai said “The Top 10 were given project funding support and tasked with developing projects that are creative, innovative and address a need in our society. They presented these projects at the Closing Ceremony/Science Project Fair.” At the end of the presentations, the second runner up (3rd) was Nweke-Maraizu Humphrey of Niger Delta Science School. He received an award plaque as well as a cash prize of 100,000NGN. The first runner up (2nd) was Onwuatuegwu Chidera of Our Lady of Fatima College.She received an award plaque and a cash prize of 150,000NGN. The winner (1st) was Ukere Michael of Niger Delta Science School. He received an award plaque, a sash bearing (Rotary Young Einstein 2022), a trophy and a cash prize of 250,000NGN.
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Our correspondent Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie reports that Co-sponsors and Partners of the Tenth Season of the Rotary Einstein Science Challenge which includes the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University represented by the Dean of students, Professor Okpara, Famvar International Secondary school and Capital City Development Ltd were recognized with awards for their support.
The Science teacher and project coordinator for Niger Delta Science School Mrs Princess Dabrinze, was excited that her school had once again clenched the trophy. “This year made it the 5th year the school has won this competition”, she said.
