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Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has reportedly gifted a 13 year old boy, Greatness Ebisike, 10 million naira for his mathematical prowess.

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Narrating the story in a statement sent to Pacesetter, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Ex Governor Dave Umahi’s Commissioner for Information, said the remarkable incident took place in Lagos on Friday, September 22, 2023 on his (Umahi’s) way to an official event at Victoria Island.

The 13 year old who Orji said was an SS1 student and hailed from Abia State in the Southeast of Nigeria, was reported to have aced all mathematical questions thrown at him without the use of a calculator.

Part of the statement read: “It was a great and remarkable day for Greatness Ebisike, a highly skilled and mathematically talented chap, when he encountered the usual and rare benevolence of the Hon. Minister of Works, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON.

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“The chap who is currently in his Senior Secondary School One in Lagos is 13 years old and hails from Abia State. His sense of mathematical calculation and accuracy in result is simply amazing. He is quick in providing answers to algebraic questions, especially questions on multiplication and addition in Mathematics. Ask him any mathematical question and he replies correctly in just few seconds.

“A team that accompanied the Hon. Minister posed several algebraic questions and he rattled them with dispatch and gave them nothing but the answers. When he was asked to give the sum of 70×70×70, he didn’t waste a moment in giving the answer as 343,000. You need to see the passion, the speed the zeal and the energy with which he tackled every question be was asked.

“The Hon. Minister of Works who also witnessed the rattlings of the chap was enthused by his performance. The Minister made a gift of N10m instantly to the talented chap to assist in furthering his education. He urged him to keep up the passion and get developed in the passion as that would make him a precious resource in the world market.

“The chap dined with the Hon. Minister and received executive handshake from the Hon. Minister together with his guardian.

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“According to them, “It was a golden day in their life, having such a rare privilege and benevolence from a man with the heart of gold””.

The statement encouraged Nigerians to believe in the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu and work towards tapping into the vistas of opportunities created by the Tinubu administration.

Further, Orji noted that Sen Engr. David Nweze Umahi mantra was all about building the future of others.

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“Life is about helping in the development of the youths, in building capacities of the young ones in both leadership and other works of life. To him (Umahi), life is not worth living if it doesn’t impact on the lives of others.

“He sees the children of others as his own. He is a benefactor and destiny helper to many. He is a talent discoverer, talent developer, talent refiner, mentorship master and bridge builder; giving helping hands beyond tribal and religious boundaries. No wonder he is an ardent disciple of the ‘JAGABAN’ mantra, the builder of human resources and the ‘Akubaraoha’ personified”, Orji quipped.