A professor of mathematics at Rivers State University, Prof. Adolphus Nwaoburu, has advised secondary school students to discard the long-held fear of mathematics, describing the subject as simple and essential for all fields of study.
Prof. Nwaoburu gave the counsel on Thursday during a lecture on “Demystification of Mathematics” organised by Minds@Work, an NGO, at Baptist High School, Port Harcourt.
The professor, an alumnus of the school, said many students developed aversion to mathematics because of the misleading definitions given to them early in life.
“We were given a wrong definition of mathematics—where a blind man is placed in a dark room to look for a black cat,” he said, stressing that such descriptions made the subject appear intimidating.
He described mathematics as “the mother of all subjects” and maintained that its knowledge was indispensable regardless of career choice.
Prof. Nwaoburu urged the students to determine their level of understanding and build from there.
“Learn mathematics, bring it home; teach it to others and solve it consistently,” he said. “The more you teach people, the more you understand.”
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Dagogo Josiah, the facilitator of Minds@Work and also an alumnus of the school, said the organisation was committed to giving back to the institution by periodically exposing students to resource persons who can help broaden their academic and life skills.
The programme is the second in a series of talks organised by Minds@Work. The first, held on September 25, focused on Time Management.
The Principal of the school, Mr. Opuene Albert-Dede, thanked Prof. Nwaoburu and Minds@Work for the initiative and appealed for continued support to enhance the students’ academic growth.
