A 13-year-old Junior Secondary School Two (JSS 2) student of Bishop Okoye Spiritant Secondary School (BOSSS) in Oyigbo, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chizi Weli has won a silver medal in Computer Coding at the International STEM Olympiad in Paris, France.

The International Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (ISTEM) Olympiad is a global annual competition for secondary school students from over 40 countries competing in science, computer coding, mathematics, and technology.

Expressing his delight over the achievement, Weli, who was among other students of his school that went for the competition, called on government at all levels, especially, those of his home LGA, Obio/Akpor, and Rivers State Government, to invest more in Science Education.

The one-week competition held between Wednesday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 19, 2023, with 44 countries participating.

According to the tech savvy teenager, his school, BOSSS, was the only secondary school that represented Nigeria in the international competition in Paris.

He said that ten students from his school participated and won trophies in different categories of the competition which were graded into gold, silver, bronze and honours.

The now BOSSS high flyer informed that nominations for the competition were based on performance in an online test on the organizer’s website, which registration was with a stipulated amount, adding that only successful students were shortlisted for the contest.

Pointing out that the test is open for both public and private schools in the country, Chizi Weli noted that the competition, which is usually sponsored by parents of the students competing, has huge financial costs that needs the support of government.

Speaking, parents of the teenager, Badume Weli, an Estate Valuer, and Dr. Bumia Weli, an Educationist, called on the Federal Government to set up a grant through the Ministry of Education to reduce the financial burden of parents whose children qualify for such global competitions.

They averred that this would serve to incentivize greater participation of Nigerian students in global competitions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, among others, adding that it would also afford the children the opportunity to interact with their peers globally.

The Welis equally appealed to the Siminalayi Fubara led Government in Rivers State and George Ariolu led Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to welcome and support these young talents who have proven to be worthy ambassadors of Rivers State.