Cowbell Mathematics Competition 2010 holds on February 13.

At the mention of the word, mathematics, people get jittery and the tendency is to avoid the subject. And those who are brave enough to embrace it, see the course as a means to certain professional discipline. But incidentally, the application of mathematics goes beyond academics and schooling.


Living is all about calculations. On daily basis, man is unconsciously adding, subtracting and rationalizing in the pursuit of his regular economic activities and survival. Unknown to many of us, mathematics has become a parameter to stimulating logic in decision-making and generating ideas.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited has brought mathematics to the fore. The milk and seasoning company introduced Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) in 1998, thus re-igniting the interest of secondary school students and their schools in the subject once again.

Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition was first held in the Lagos metropolis. By the year 1999, the scope had expanded to include Anambra, Kaduna and Plateau states. Oyo and Imo were included in 2000.

By the fourth edition, the competition had gone national covering the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Addressing journalists recently at the press briefing of the 2010 Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition, the Managing Director of Promasidor Limited, Chief Keith Richards, said the main objectives of the competition is to awaken the consciousness and interest in mathematics among students and generally improve performance in the subject.

He stated further, “We want to redress the myth that mathematics is a very difficult and impossible subject to pass. Through this competition, we want to create a credible platform for identifying outstanding students and encouraging recognition of exceptional ability.”

The competition which is of junior and senior categories will be held in two stages. The first stage is the state level. It’s scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 13, 2010, in 130 centers across the 36 states and the federal capital.

The three top best students in both categories of the first stage examination in each state will be presented cash awards of N20,000, N15,000 and N10,000 respectively while the mathematics teacher of the first prize winner in each state for both the senior and junior categories will smile home with the sum of N15,000.

The best student in each category from each state and the federal capital (74 students in all) will participate in the second and final stage examination to be held in Lagos on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

“All expenses of these students accompanied by their mathematics teachers will be paid by the company”, said Richards.

According to the Managing Director, the best 10 students from each category at the second stage examination will be celebrated as Cowbell Milk’s Mathematicians in the presence of all stakeholders including the Honourable Minister of Education at the final prize-giving Award ceremony that is scheduled to hold at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

The Chief Executive revealed that that the star prize winners of both categories will be presented N130,000, a trophy and a medal each, while the second and third place winners will attract cash awards of a N100,000 and N75,000 respectively in addition to a plaque and medal.

“Each mathematics teacher of the winning candidates will clinch the sum of N20, 000. The schools of these three top students also have their prizes. All the schools of the top three winners will be presented mathematics textbooks, metal sign post and plaque. But the schools of the star prize winners will have classroom tables and chair,” he added.

Richards further noted that Cowbell Milk would continue to support the National Mathematics Centre and would be sponsoring the best two candidates in the senior category of Cowbell NASSMAC 2009 edition, Onuegbu Tobechukwu C and Arene Chukwuemeka to this year’s Pan Africa Mathematics Olympiad.