ABUJA -The Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre today in Abuja inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2010 International Junior Science Olympiad.

Ekpiwhre challenged the eight-member committee to ensure that Nigeria emerged the overall best among the participating countries.

“We should aim to improve on the past achievements by winning the gold medal considering the calibre of talents in our schools,” Ekpiwhre said.

She also asked the committee to solicit the support of the private sector to enable it to succeed.
In a speech, the LOC Chairman, Prof Peter Okebukola noted that Nigeria had a rich stock of human resources to host the event.

He said that the committee would develop a blueprint that would use a multi-stage and multi-stakeholder approach for the competition.

He said: “This will address technical preparations, accommodation of the Olympians and officials, national talent hunt and coaching of Olympians as well as the general administration of the event”.
Okebukola noted that the competition would showcase intellectual talents and promote social and cultural linkages among the participating countries.

“It will improve the quality of mathematics and science education, rekindle students interest in science subjects and improve students critical-thinking skills,” Okebukola said.

Reports say that Nigeria will be the first African country to host the competition meant for secondary school students below the age of 15 years.

Knowledge, understanding and skills in physics, chemistry, and biology are typically tested through theoretical test and experimental examinations.