Entries for PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge 2014 have been rolling in to beat the deadline of November 24 set by the organisers. The competition, which is in its second year, is open to senior secondary schools students in classes one and two in public and private schools across Lagos State.

Prospective contestants are to submit their entries by downloading and completing the forms from www.pzcussonschemistrychallenge.com or pick up the entry forms at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Alausa Ikeja, or the six educational district offices across the state.

First prize winner will receive N700,000 cash, a laptop, trophy and gold medal, while the first runner-up will have N500,000 cash, a laptop and silver medal. The second runner-up will go home with N400,000 cash prize, a laptop and bronze medal, while the third runner-up will be rewarded with N300,000 cash, a laptop and a consolation medal.

Prizes will also be presented to the respective Chemistry teachers and schools of the four finalists. The Chemistry teacher of the overall winner will win N100,000 and Chemistry books worth N100,000 presented to the school, while the Chemistry teacher of the first runner-up will have N80,000 cash and Chemistry book of the same value to the school. The Chemistry teacher of the second runner-up will have N70,000 and Chemistry books worth same amount to the school, while the Chemistry teacher of the third runner-up will win N60,000 cash and Chemistry books worth the same amount will be presented to the school.

Not more than two students per school would be allowed to participate in the competition, and the school authorities are therefore encouraged to send in their best Chemistry students. According to the organisers, students are to be sponsored by their schools, while candidates are advised to provide their reachable phone numbers and email addresses through which examination centres would be communicated to them.

The organisers emphasise that entry is free of charge.

In the inaugural edition, Emmanuel Ejiogu Onyekachi, who was a 16-year-old student of Miketoy College, Ikotun, Lagos State, emerged and got N700,000 cash, a laptop, a trophy and gold medal as reward, while his chemistry teacher, Mr Jossy Ogunniyi won N100,000 cash. Chemistry books worth N100,000 were also presented to his school.

Obi Uchenna David, then also 16 years old and a student of Barachel College, Ifako-Agege, placed second and was presented with a cheque of N500,000, a laptop and silver medal, while his chemistry teacher, Mr Ojo Sunday went home with N60,000. His school also had chemistry books worth N50,000.

Mgbemena Thankgod, at that time a student of Leeland International College, Oregun-Ikeja, finished as second runner-up and got N400,000 cash prize, a laptop and bronze medal. His chemistry teacher, Mr Ugwoke Johnson Ikenna, won N40,000 while his school received N50,000 worth of chemistry books.

Third runner-up Victor Ike-Okoro of Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere had a cash prize of N300,000, a laptop and a consolation medal while his chemistry teacher, Mr Odinibe John Nnani got N20,000 and his school had N50,000 worth of chemistry books.

PZ Cussons Foundation focuses on education, health, road rehabilitation and provision of portable water. It has extended its interventions into constructing and donating blocks of classrooms, boreholes, health and youth centres as well as road rehabilitation.

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