Anambra Born Tochukwu Anyigbo, Others Win Bronze For Nigeria At First Global Robotics Challenge In Mexico

Anambra-born Tochukwu Anyigbo from Ihiala is among the bronze winning Team Nigeria which scored in the top 40% of total teams, and won two bronze medals at the First Global Robotics Challenge which held in Mexico. A total of 161 teams (countries) participated.
The team won in the Outstanding Supporter and International Journey categories and comprised of five secondary school students schooling in Lagos state.
Team Nigeria, made up of four girls and a boy were selected after a competitive process that held on April 28, 2018 at the Syrian Club.
The students are Anjolaoluwa Olowokere (Lagoon School), Tochukwu Anyigbo (Lagoon School), Daberechi Onyeacholem (Green Springs, Lekki), Udodirim Iroaganachi (Queen’s College), and Samuel Ikenna Mbah (Osezele Secondary School).
Over a period of three and half months, they were coached on teamwork, commitment, problem solving, and critical thinking.
This year’s Global Robotic Challenge focussed on Energy Impact. Students had to build a robot that simulated providing energy using four energy sources: Solar, Wind Turbine, Combustion Plant, and Fuel Cubes. In addition, they were grouped with teams from two other countries forming a team of three on either side. In the process they had to strategize and plan with students on their teams from other countries learning the art of diplomacy, public speaking, and respect for other’s opinion. The students also learned about various sources of alternative energy.
Mrs. Remi Willoughby of Alofos Science & Technology Foundation which helped prepare Team Nigeria said; “the team visited the Egbin Power Plant in Ikorodu to understand our country’s source of energy, and they were able to reflect on how we can improve energy source in Nigeria”. Continuing, she said that, “while In Mexico they made friends with students from across the globe learning different cultures and even picking up a few words in other languages. This was a chance of a lifetime”.
Mrs Willoughby thanked His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State on behalf of Association of STEM Educators in Nigeria for the moral and financial support to the team, concluding that the team’s success was “made possible by His Excellency’s donation towards our team’s fundraising goal. His donation made our journey very smooth, and we were able to secure visas without incident”.
Speaking exclusively with Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr Jude Anyigbo, the father of 16-year old Tochukwu Anyigbo said he is grateful to God and very proud of his daughter and Team Nigeria for their achievements, considering the hard work and sacrifice that went into the preparation even while preparing for the 3rd term exams.
According to him, “Tochukwu is good in Arts and Sciences. She is the Labour prefect of Lagoon school, We are exposing her to all possibilities to let her make her career choice”.
He also thanked Governor Willie Obiano and the state government for co-sponsoring the team.
ABS