By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As a very thoughtful gesture that blends passion, intellect, and social impact, a young graduate and mathematician who once caught the public’s attention for hawking palm oil in Awka, Anambra State’s capital, has taken another inspiring and bold step to contribute meaningfully to the educational development of children in the state, following his launch of a statewide mathematics competition.
The brain behind this noble initiative is Ebubedike Friday Ugochukwu, a brilliant 32-year-old graduate of Electronic and Computer Technology from the University of Calabar, who hails from Umuahia in Abia State. Despite the hurdles of life, Friday or “Wire Wire”, as he is fondly called, has proved to remain committed in his belief that education and hard work — rather than shortcuts — remain the surest path to greatness.
Moved by his deep love for mathematics and his passion for nurturing the next generation of thinkers, Friday, who is also a private maths teacher to many children and households in Awka, has now conceptualized and is set to host the maiden edition of a mathematics competition tagged “MATHALON Mathematics Competition 2025,” an intellectually stimulating initiative that seeks to identify and reward mathematical excellence among school children in Anambra State.
Targeted at pupils in Primary 5 and 6 from schools in different parts of Anambra, the competition is designed not only to challenge and refine the mathematical skills of participants, but also to instill confidence, spark innovation, and promote healthy academic rivalry among them.
The Convener explained that the Mathalon project draws inspiration from the Olympic Games, hence its name and structure.
According to him, Mathalon 2025 will take place on Friday, 20th June, 2025, at the ASUBEB Complex, opposite Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, beginning at 9:00am prompt. The event promises to be a festival of numbers and intellect, featuring cash prizes, gift items, and certificates of participation for all contestants — all at no cost to the participants.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter, Friday disclosed that the idea of Mathalon was birthed from his interactions with pupils during his teaching experiences — both at private schools and at JAMB preparatory centres — as well as his one-on-one home tutorials and online mathematics sessions. He said he observed a growing phobia for mathematics among children, which he believes is largely due to poor foundational teaching methods and lack of stimulating platforms to practice and appreciate the subject beyond the classroom.
“I’ve always seen teaching as a calling. Mathematics is not as hard as it is feared — it only requires the right mindset and method. I created Mathalon as a platform where children can have fun solving problems, build confidence, and see mathematics as a tool, not a tormentor,” he explained.
Friday’s journey to this point has been nothing short of inspirational. As this reporter had earlier documented in March 2024, Friday, despite being a graduate, took to hawking palm oil on the streets of Awka as a means of livelihood, after years of unsuccessful attempts to secure a job that fits his qualification and passion. He was spotted by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, at the UNIZIK Junction in Awka, carrying a bucket of palm oil on his head, making deliveries to customers — a scene that sparked the first human-interest story which later went viral and drew public admiration for his resilience and dignity in labour.
Despite the social stigma and lowly perception often attached to hawking, Friday continues to hold his head high, noting that hawking palm oil is part of what currently keeps him afloat as a youth. This, he combines with teaching and managing the growing community of followers on his YouTube and Facebook pages, where he teaches mathematics under the brand “Solving Mathematics with Ease.”
Speaking on the upcoming competition, Friday said the entire project is being planned in company of a passionate team of young volunteers and supporters who believe in his vision, and who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring it to life. These, he said, include Hon. Kingsley Ekwenya, Mr. Nwike Emeka, Mr. Okemmuo Jeremiah, Comrade Emmandy Ezenagu, Ms. Chidile Ifeoma, Ms. Rita Ebubedike, Mrs. Susan Nwogbo, Engr. Somtochukwu Ezennia, and Orizu Chiagozie Henry, among others.
He noted that Mathalon is not just a competition but a movement and a long-term educational campaign that aims to elevate the status of mathematics and inspire a new generation of young scholars to embrace problem-solving as a way of life.
To sustain the project and ensure its quality and continuity, Friday also passionately appeals to well-meaning individuals, philanthropists, corporate organizations, and government institutions to support the initiative through sponsorship or donations.
According to him, those willing to to support the competition financially can do so via the following account:
Account Name: Mathalon Competition
Account Number: 1027356563
Bank: UBA.
He added that enquiries and sponsorship-related matters can be directed to 08167760374 or 08152408861 , while emails may also be sent to mathalonmathematics@gmail.com. He also noted that more updates on the competition can be followed on Facebook and Instagram via @mathalonmathematics.
This reporter further gathered that participation in the competition is absolutely free, and schools are encouraged to register their eligible pupils early, as the competition promises to be one of the most enriching and empowering educational events for primary school pupils in Anambra State in recent times.
