TheCable

The four finalists of the 2015 PZ Cussons Carex Chemistry Challenge were recently taken on a facility tour of the company’s Lagos administrative office in Ilupeju, and the factory at Ikorodu.

The students – Anthony Ekene Ike-Okoro of Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere, Wajud Kareem and Samuel Joseph, both of Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School, Agege, and Jude Nnaemeka Chineke of Great Esteem Secondary School, Surulere – were accompanied by some teachers.

Christos Giannopoulous, chief executive officer of PZ Cussons Nigeria, alongside Yomi Ifaturoi, the company’s corporate affairs director, received the students and their teachers and congratulated them on their emergence as finalists of the rigorous competition.

“I congratulate you on your success at the just concluded chemistry challenge. The company is focused on chemistry because of its importance to the society,” Giannopoulous said.

“I particularly salute your courage and enthusiasm to study chemistry and I hope in the nearest future you will be working in the corridors of this organisation and making an impact.”

Pieter Stroek, the company’s head of research, development and innovation, conducted the visitors round the laboratories, while Alex Goma, managing director, Family Care, encouraged the students to pick up some other skills while on internship with the company.

At the Ikorodu factory, Fred Omoiya, administrative manager, explained to the group basic safety precautions and emergency procedures of the organisation before they were guided around the factories.

Ike-Okoro, the 2015 grand prize winner, expressed satisfaction with the tour.

“I want to thank PZ Cussons for this wonderful opportunity and I hope the competition will spur other students to take Chemistry and other science subjects seriously,” he said.

Kareem, the first runner-up, said: “I really enjoy the experience; the factories, the machines and the way they work is really breath-taking.  This tour of PZ Cussons’ facility has enlightened me and I hope this will engineer my enthusiasm.”

Joseph, who finished in third place in the competition, expressed his readiness for the internship, while Chineke graciously said: “I am very delighted with the experience of this facility tour and it has further boosted my confidence in the pursuit of my career.”

As part of its commitment to reach out to everyone, not just secondary school students, Carex, the competition’s sponsor, instituted an online challenge that is open to all individuals residing or working in Lagos state.

Entry is absolutely free and the quiz is not strictly based on Chemistry. The online challenge will run monthly until April, this year and two winners will emerge every month.