Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, has renewed his call for students to re-double their efforts in studying science-related courses, saying that this would make them to be self-reliant in the future.

The governor, who was addressing the closing/prize giving ceremony of the 11th edition of NNPC/Mobil Producing Nigeria Science quiz competition in Uyo, described the event as “very challenging” and “reward-oriented”.

Governor Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Lady Valarie Ebe, while congratulating the winners of the competition, said he was impressed with the students’ performance.

He noted that the uncommon transformation agenda of the state administration in the education sector has brought about positive changes in the lives of children and youths in the state, stressing that their future were guaranteed.

Chief Akpabio congratulated NNPC/Mobil Producing Nigeria for successfully hosting the Secondary Schools Science Competition and urged them to sustain the programme.

The State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Atim Antai, expressed delight over the performance and commended the NNPC/Mobil Joint Venture for their success in regularly hosting the event since its inception eleven years now and expressed her hope that the oil giants would sustain the tempo.

She particularly lauded them for identifying with and “fully supporting” the state government’s free and compulsory education policy, saying that the secondary schools science quiz competition was a “worth-while venture”.

News Express reports that Nigerian Christian Institute (NCI), Uyo, came first in the competition, beating ALSCON Staff School, Ikot Abasi, by 12 points to 10.

Top Faith Secondary School, Mkpatak in Essien Udim Local Govt Area, edged out Nigerian Christian Academy, Etim Ekpo, by 17 points to 8 to clinch the third position.

All the participating schools smile home with certificates, plaques and other prizes.