“Our expectation this time is high especially from private schools considering the huge sums of fees we pay for our children yet none has made it to top 20.”

Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti, Corporate Affairs and Adminstrative Director, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, stated this yesterday at the formal launch of the third edition of PZ Cussons Carex Chemistry Challenge for secondary schools in Lagos State.

Ifaturoti said: “The government is doing a lot in the public school and we can see that’s why the public schools are taking the leading in most competitions especially the chemistry challenge by PZ Cussons and the mathematics competition. We expect the private schools to come top considering the huge sums of money we pay to them.”

As a product of Girls College, Lagos, she is clamouring for female students to win this year’s edition. “I am a product of Girls College, Lagos, and a chemistry student as well. I want more female students to come top and even win. More females should be encouraged to study chemistry like arts,” she said.

Mrs. Modupe Badru, General Manager of Redwood Consulting, shares similar sentiments. She promised to give her one month salary to any female student who emerges winner of this year’s edition of the Chemistry Challenge.

Speaking with News Express on why the competition is Lagos only, Mr. Tunde Oyelola, Chairman, Advisory Board said PZ Cussons Carex Chemistry Challenge for secondary schools, is open to public and private schools in Lagos only for now due to finance. But hope to expand to other states in near future. He further states that “the scholarships and cash rewards worth over N3 million for the four finalists, the rest of the Top 10, teachers and schools of finalists, and one year free supply of PZ Cussons carex products to the winner and the school of the winner is the highest in all competitions so far. Again, some of these students are given an opportunity to work with PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc in terms of their creativity. We are also willing to support these students with any meaningful contribution they have to offer. We don’t just leave them after the competition; we encourage and follow up with them.”

According to the organisers, entries are being received from students in SS3 classes in public and private schools in Lagos State till November 4, 2015, and participants will not be charged any fee or asked to buy any PZ Cusson’s products to participate. Only two students per school will be allowed to participate in the competition, and therefore each school is encouraged to send in its best Chemistry students. Students are to be endorsed by their schools, and candidates are advised to provide their reachable phone numbers and email addresses through which examination centres would be communicated to them. Eligible participants are advised to visit the project website www.pzcarexchemistrychallenge.com and check the ‘registration’. Also, a four-month online Carex Hygiene Challenge will run from October with two winners emerging every month. A designated blog has been created this year and embedded on the PZCCC website. It will be exploited to allow followers to follow and review the content. Also added is a PZCCC youtube channel to share videos online.

Previously known as PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, the initiative of PZ Cussons Foundation is being sponsored this year by Carex, a product of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Education, has again given approval and support to the competition, as it did in the first two editions. PZCCC also enjoys the endorsement of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria and the National Parents Teachers’ Association of Nigeria.

•Photo shows previous winner of the PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge displaying his cheque.

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