SPAK NATIONAL SCIENCE COMPETITION: SPARKING UP THE SCIENCES

The development of the teaching of science and technology in secondary schools in Nigeria has recently received a boost with the debut of SPAK, National Science Competition a unique initiative, developed to promote, ignite the right support and reward for science students in secondary schools in Nigeria. The competition which is strictly for SS2 (year 11) students between the ages of 14-17 years is the brain child of JustMedia Productions a member of DM Holdings Limited an organization with considerable interest in Media and Entertainment. Speaking at an event recently, Mr Oladapo Ojo the creator of the show said the idea is designed in response to the need to promote sound education for Science students in secondary schools in Nigeria as he firmly believes that SPAK will definitely encourage the study of the sciences in secondary schools in Nigeria. He said SPAK, with the endorsement of NECO has been designed primarily for senior secondary school students to help them chart their ideal career path and drive them towards full optimization of their potentials and the fulfillment of their dreams! ‘’The idea is to use the audiovisual medium and competition to kindle the interest of students in the area of science and technology’’ he said. According to Ojo, SPAK is a Science based national examination/ television quiz show the most contemporary of its kind in Nigeria. It is an annual competition; SPAK is a mix of education, entertainment and technology which fits into the drive for excellence and innovations. The intention is to encourage students to study the sciences by identifying and rewarding excellence amongst Science students with a key message of increasing the interest of Student, Parents, Teachers and other key stakeholders in Nigeria in the study of Sciences. SPAK is open to students in SS2 between 14 – 17 years attending full time Secondary Education in either Public or Private Schools in Nigeria. Participation in the competition is free and registration to participate can only be done online via www.spak.ng. Interested Schools are advised to register their six (6) most intelligent students in the Sciences, irrespective of sex, religion, tribe or state of origin for the first leg of the competition to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Advanced level of the competition. He said the National examination will hold on Saturday April 01, 2017 in selected centers within Nigeria and registered students are to prepare for a 75minutes Multiple Choice Questions in Physics, Chemistry, Biology & Mathematics. Registration for the exam will open online on February 01, 2017 at www.spak.ng . He advised that interested schools should visit the website to register their students before registration closes on Sunday March 26, 2017 Oladapo Ojo is the Founder of JustMedia a production company that produces top notch content for television, radio & social media using holistic business competences with special interest in educational initiatives having created and produced projects like CowbellPedia a National Mathematics TV Quiz Show which is already in its third season.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE

CAN YOU SING? CAN YOU ACT? CAN YOU PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? ARE YOU A DJ? DMH, the producer of several TV programmes that rocked our world like Don't forget the Lyrics, House 4, Friend or Foe, 3 Crown Royal family Game Show, Luventure, Cowbellpedia, Emerald and lots more offers U an opportunity to become a superstar on our forthcoming #HANGOUT SHOW (A music and lifestyle reality TV show for musically inclined Nigerian youth who interact and Groove with Celebrities Week in, Week out. Recording starts in less than a month. Interested candidates should send their details, picture, demo and contact to bolarinwae@dmholdingslimited.com Feel Free to Recommend a friend or a family member whose talent thrills U. Pls RBC

SWING DRAMA SET TO MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT IN NIGERIA TELEVISION HISTORY

In Africa a marriage that does not produce a child can be likened to a time bomb waiting to explode. Can Femi and Roselyn Rhodas love diffuse the ticking bomb? Will the bomb explode? If it does explode, can their love survive this explosion? 15 years after they said their ‘I Dos’ Femi and Roselyn Rhodas do not have a child. Even though Femi is not allowing himself to be pressured by his family which consists of his very authoritarian but good natured father Pa Rhodas and his very mischievous aunty – Ashabi about the issue, Roselyn on the other hand is not leaving any stone unturned in the quest to get pregnant. She will try anything and everything to get pregnant and have a child of her own for Femi. Roselyn’s quest swings Femi in the direction of an old friend for some help. Cynthia a pious lady helps Femi but this help turns her life upside down. Drama, Love, intrigue and laughter are firmly intertwined in this very interesting drama series which will keep the viewer laughing and crying to the very end. Actors and production crew should follow this link to indicate interest:- http://swingdrama.com/Auditions/SwingDrama

Cowbellpedia TV Quiz Update: FCT and Ondo State Advance to the Semi Final in a Grand Style

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ondo State have recorded the highest number of contestants who have qualified for the semi final in the ongoing maiden edition of the weekly Cowbellpedia TV Quiz showing on 14 stations across Nigeria. Three representatives each of the FCT and Ondo State have scaled the huddle to the semi final stage of the competition. Evans Owamoyo of Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi got the first ticket for Ondo State in the junior category of the competition, sponsored by Cowbell, produced by Promasidor Nigeria Limited. For the senior category, Ayodeji Akinkuowo of Adeyemi Demonstration Secondary School; and Titilayo Adewale-Fasoro (Hallmark Secondary School) have made the state proud to qualify for the next round. For the FCT, two of its students participating in the junior category of the competition have scaled the hurdle to the semi final and one in the senior category. Munachi Earnest-Eze of Loyola Jesuit College; and Abdulmeez Yusuf of Nigerian Turkish International College; have already secured the semi final tickets. Meanwhile, Loyola Jesuit has also produced a student, Kamaldeen Raji, for the next round in the senior category. Ogun state has recorded the highest number of losers this year unlike before when the state used to dominate. Five of its students participating in the competition have been evicted – three in the junior category and two in the senior category. Those in the junior category are: Oluwafeyikemi Fatunmbi (Scholars Universal Secondary School); Blessing Adegboye (Redeemers Junior High School); and Aminu Abdulsalam (The Ambassadors College). Others are: Ikenna Idigo (Sacred Heart Catholic College); and Deborah Ogbu (Scholars Universal Secondary School). Similarly, three representatives of Cross River State have been evicted from the competition. They are: Mirabel Baridoo (Deeper Life High School) in the junior category; with Aniekanabasi Ekwere (Nigerian Navy Secondary School); and Ishamali Isika (Unical International Demonstration Secondary School) in the senior category. Meanwhile, Abuja is among the bad losers in the competition so far. Three of its students have been evicted. Those that suffered the setback are: Chukwudi Anayo-Ezikeoha (Loyola Jesuit College) in the junior category; Iyoha Omonzokpia (Loyola Jesuit College); and Arinzechukwu Owoh (Nigerian Turkish International College); both in the senior category. The TV stations showing the Cowbellpedia Quiz are: AIT Network, TVC Lagos, NTA Channel 10 Lagos, MITV, Ondo Television (OSRC), NTA Ibadan, NTA Port Harcourt, ABS Onitsha, NTA Enugu, ITV Benin, NTA Kaduna, STB Jos, ITV Abuja, and Niger TV Minna.

The Search For Nigeria’s Mathematics Champion Begins On CowbellPedia TV Quiz Show

A total of 108 students (54 junior and 54 senior secondary school pupils) in Nigeria out of about 34,000 that sat for this year’s edition of Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) across the country have been shortlisted for the second stage that will start on TV stations in Nigeria this weekend. Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, and sponsor of the competition, Mr. Festus Tettey, disclosed this at the unveiling of CowbellPedia to the Media in Lagos on Thursday, August 6, 2015. He explained that 54 of the students qualified from the JSS3 students that participated in the first stage examination held earlier in the year. Also, 54 students qualified from the senior category. On the modality used before arriving at 54 successful students for each category, Tettey said based on the scores earned from the exams, the top 20 students from around the country were picked, while the remaining 34 were representatives from the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Unlike before, Tettey said there is improvement on the second stage of the competition this year, as the 2015 edition marks the 15th yearly sponsorship of NASSMAC by Cowbell. To commemorate this feat, he stated, the second stage has been changed to an interactive quiz competition known as Cowbellpedia, which is endorsed by National Examinations Council (NECO). He disclosed that the quiz competition, which will be aired on 14 TV stations across the country, will be on the Math topics: Number and Numeration; Algebra; Geometry and Measuration; Statistics and Probability; Trigonometry as well as Introduction to Calculus all based on the current secondary school curriculum in Nigeria. According to him, the television stations that will air the Cowbellpedia Competition are: AIT Network, TVC Lagos, NTA Channel 10 Lagos, MITV, OSRC, NTA Ibadan, NTA Port Harcourt, ABS Onitsha, NTA Enugu, ITV Benin, NTA Kaduna, STV Jos and Niger TV Minna. Also, Tettey said that there is significant increase in prize money for the students and their teachers this year. The best students in both categories will receive N750,000 each, while the first and second runners–up will smile home with N500,000 and N250,000 in that order. Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Promasidor, Mr Olivier Thiry, said this new innovation sits at the core of what Promasidor stands for. His words: “Innovation drives the way we think, act and interact with our consumers and customers.” In view of this, he said for over 15 years now, Promasidor is committed to the development and nurturing of mathematics in Nigeria through the platform of NASSMAC, adding that it is time to give it a new creative twist. His words: “Today, this new and value-adding direction takes our initiative to another height in our pursuit to nurture great innovators – engineers and scientists for tomorrow. Mathematics is particularly unique as it is the bedrock upon which science and technology is built. The Cowbellpedia TV Quiz Competition is designed to reward and celebrate excellence in the subject area of Mathematics. He therefore expressed optimism that Cowbellpedia will increase and heighten the interest of more Nigerian youth in the study of mathematics and in doing so, nurture great future inventors.

Click this link to watch how to play cowbellpedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RODKH8lXocc

EMERALD DRAMA SERIES NOW ON BOTH TERRESTRIAL AND CABLE CHANNELS

YOU CAN NOW WATCH EMERALD ON NTA NETWORK EVERY SATURDAY @ 8PM. Due to popular demand from Emerald fans worldwide for continual broadcast of our darling award-winning and highly entertaining TV series of the finest quality, The management of SevenSeries production in conjuction with FIRSTV Studio has deemed it fit to continue broadcast of its show on Africa's largest terrestial channel (NTA network) alongside DSTV Africamagic showcase Channel 151. Henceforth, you can now watch, enjoy and follow EMERALD Drama series on NTA network every Saturday @ 8pm prompt. Hurray!!! Emerald drama is a cutting edge and enthralling story of Dapo, a well-known architect who has lived abroad for some time. His estranged father, Alfred, the owner of a successful construction company, dies recently under mysterious circumstances. When Dapo receives a frantic call from his mother that an investigation into his father’s death is about to be opened, he returns to Nigeria, unaware that his life is about to change forever. EMERALD drama series is a proud winner of Best Television Programme of the year Award (Drama Category) at the year 2013 Nigeria Broadcasters' Merit Award. Starring: Kunle Bamtefa, Carol King, Femi Branch, Joseph Benjamin, Lilian Esoro, Mary Lazarus, Judith Audu, Saheed Funky Mallam, David Mckenzie, Felix Jnr. Omokhodior, Ifu Iheme, Tamara Eteimo, David Ogbue and so much more. All these magic moments premiering on Monday on AfricaMagic Showcase Dstv Ch151 at 22:00CAT,9pm Local Time (Monday - Thursday weekly). FANS COMMENTS Ify Sarah Ezenwobi: Pls, try to make it available on other channels not only on dstv. Francisca Octavia: Ya.dnt even knw if its nw on sale Umeanowai Prisca: Hmmmmm so its nw african magic? Its no longer nta? Haba their is god ooooo since we cant watch it there can u guys make it into a dvd with high price so dat we can buy.....their is godooooo Happiness Igbinomwanhia: Why was the program moved from NTA to Africa magic? Adegoke Tomi Abimbola: Pls let it be moved 2 oda station. Y did u move it frm NTA? Ur fans deserve an explanation? Love u guys

EAGLETS HOLD GUINEA IN U17 CLASH

The quest of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets and their Guinean counterparts to reach the semis of the African Under-17 Championship failed to materialise after they played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. FC Atouga striker Sam Diallo scored for Guinea's under-17s while Nigeria captain Kelechi Nwakali levelled the scores. Senegal head coach Hamidou Camara had a start list with one overseas-based player in Karim Conte, who plays for Aspire in Senegal. His Nigerian counterpart, Emmanuel Amuneke, named three players from FC Abuja in his starting 11 -- Kingsley Michael, Abdullahi Suleiman and Ayodeji Bamidele. But it was the Guineans who broke the deadlock just 16 minutes into the match. The Guineans won a spot kick after Lukman Halilu Zakari fouled Yamodou Toure inside the box. Diallo stepped up and gave his team the lead. After that goal, the Guineans sat back and attempted to break on the offence and at the same time made life difficult for Nigeria. In the 21st minute, Victor Osimhen thought he had scored the equaliser when he headed into an empty goal, but the referee, Jean-Jacques Ngambo from the DR Congo, ruled for an infringement on Guinea goalkeeper Moussa Camara. The Golden Eaglets found it difficult to break down an organised Guinean defence and had to go into the break trailing. Three minutes into the restart Osimhen was played through on goal but Camara rushed out of his line in time to catch the ball off the feet of the Nigerian striker. In the 50th minute the Eaglets nearly went two goals down when Guinea broke on the counter. Diallo's attempt was kept out by Nigeria goalkeeper Akpan Udoh. Two minutes later, Michael was picked out at the edge of Guinea's box by Christian Charles's pass but after cushioning the ball to his right foot, struck over the bar. It was Zakari's turn to miss. He was unmarked at the far post and failed to convert a corner to level matters for Nigeria on 56 minutes. Just before the hour mark, Osimhen was nearly being picked out by Chukwueze Samuel's pass but the Guinean defence cleared their lines. On the hour mark, Guinea went on the offensive and Diallo cut inside of his marker before curling the ball into the top corner but Udoh managed to tip the ball out to safety and keep Nigeria in the game. Guinea, however, got punished for with four minutes to the end of the game for a foul in the box. Nigeria captain Kelechi Nwakali dispatched the ball to even the score before Guinea were made to finish the match with a man down. Alseny Soumah was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 88th minute. Nigeria face Zambia in their final Group A match as they seek a semifinal place while Guinea play hosts Niger Republic. Both matches will be held this Saturday.