NNPC partners NMC to boost Maths education
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is set to collaborate with the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) towards improving the study of Mathematics in the country.
Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr Austen Oniwon dropped this hint while receiving the Director General of the NMC, Prof Sam O. Ale who led a ten-man delegation on a visit to the NNPC Towers on Friday.
Engr Oniwon who described Mathematics as an “intimidating” subject said there was the need for the Centre to “demystify” the subject to Nigerians for the benefit of the nation’s technological growth and advancement.
He said: “Mathematics is the backbone of any technological development. Unfortunately in this part of the world, people are scared of it. In order not to continue to play catch-up with other developed countries, we must demystify it.”
He pledged NNPC’s support especially in the development of mathematical applications by the Centre, the staging of National Mathematical Year later this year and the participation of Nigeria in the International Maths and Science Olympiad.
He charged the centre to continue to develop the field of applied mathematics in solving the problems of the nation’s industries, which according to him were beyond normal logic.
“The industries in this country face a number of challenges. If we can solve these problems through mathematical modeling, our industries will go far in this country,” the GMD told the visiting delegation.
He added: “In our operations, we largely depend on imported applications. We will like to partner with you in, for instance, the mathematical modeling of the geology of the sub-surface in our operations.”
On the absence of fuel queues from filling stations across the country, Engr Oniwon said it was largely due to uniformity in price throughout the nation, adding that the NNPC would continue to ensure that fuel scarcity becomes a thing of the past.
He particularly commended Nigerians for their support to the Corporation and for having a change in mindset especially with regards to panic buying during artificial fuel scarcity.
“We must commend Nigerians for changing their mindset. It is heartwarming now to see that people no longer panic during artificial scarcity. All over the country, everywhere is wet with products and very soon, fuel queues will be part of history,” he assured.
Speaking earlier, the NMC DG, Prof Sam O. Ale commended the current NNPC Management for their success at curbing petroleum products scarcity in the country, noting that Nigerians truly appreciate the effort.
He said the Centre was keen on improving the learning and mastering of Mathematics from the grassroots level, noting that NNPC Staff Schools in Kaduna, Mosimi, Warri and Port Harcourt stand to gain a lot in the exercise.
“We will like to collaborate with the NNPC in some of our key projects that are coming up later in the year. We are looking forward to helping young ones and we may collaborate with you in training Maths teachers in your staff schools,” he said.
He told the GMD that Nigeria won a single bronze to place 84th out of the 98 countries that took part in last edition of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO); a performance which he said could be improved upon with support from organizations like the NNPC.
The IMO is an annual two-day global contest bringing together over 1, 500 young students from all over the world to compete in Mathematics with a view to sharpening their talent in the subject.
The 51st edition was held from July 2 to 14 in Kazakhstan last year. Vietnam is billed to host the 2011 edition in July this year. China emerged overall winner at the last edition, with Russia and United States placing 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The Olympiad plays a vital role in improving the quality of Mathematics and Science education especially in developing countries. The number of participants at the Olympiad increased from seven countries in 1959 to 98 countries last year.
Apart from stimulating interest in Mathematics as a subject nation-wide, the NMC is responsible for the training of high-level personnel in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Informatics and Theoretical Physics.
This article was originally posted on Nigeria Business Communities
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