Uduak Nanga, an Akwa Ibom State son, broke the Guinness World Record in teaching longest Mathematics lessons held from April 20- 26, 2024. After rounding off a 150-hour attempt to break the record, he told Straightnews in an interview why he decided to break the record and emphasised the need for people to encourage the teaching of Mathematics in the country. Read more…
His reactions after breaking GWR in Mathematics
This is a dream come true because I followed my vision and I know where there is a will, there is a way. I was looking for a platform to showcase myself to the world in that I have a passion for Mathematics. I did not go there to show to the world that I can solve Mathematics. I wanted to pass a message that people should not dread Mathematics, but should see it as a catalyst to speed up other subjects.
So, I really thank God for making this a success because without God, it wouldn’t have been easy. I know many people have benefitted from this programme, even people from the comfort of their rooms have learnt Mathematics. The programme covers a wide range of topics: equation, indices, binomial expansion that are difficult for students who write JAMB, WAEC and even students in tertiary institutions.
I think I have fulfilled my dream of giving back to my nation, thus fulfilling the adage that says one should think of what he can do for his country, and not what the country can do for him. I believe the talent God has given me, I have shared it with others.
Branches of Mathematics Nanga solved difficult problems
Yes, Mathematics has different branches just as you have said. These are Algebra, Statistics, but I focused on Algebra. It was in Algebra we have Simultaneous Equation, and Linear Equation; so I covered a wide range of topics in that area. I covered about 15 topics, subjects per topic for average students of the secondary schools and those in tertiary institutions.
How I coped with stress staying different nights without sleeping
Well, it was a very difficult task to stay awake without knowing very well that sleep is natural, and you cannot cheat nature. But I just believe that where there is a will, there is away. So, I was willing to stay awake. Even the Bible says there is time for everything- time to sleep and time to awake. That was the philosophy that helped me. There was no time to sleep, though it was a difficult task. Sometimes, I almost dosed off but the students, who were active monitoring me, helped me and vice versa.
On visits by several persons and organizations encouraging him during the attempt
Well, you know one thing about doing something is that you have to start doing that thing because if you don’t take care of the minutes, the hour will not take care of itself. When I started, I began like a soft leaking tap. But it ended like a volcano that can erupt because when grace speaks, natural things are put on hold and protocols are suspended. Many people supported and encouraged me. When people are not motivated to seeing a fertile ground, I don’t think that person can do anything. To God be the glory! I have a lot of supporters from across the world. People I don’t know would send money, saying this is a nice one. Some gave moral support, contributed ideas, and prayers for desired results.
Appeal to Federal and State Governments to encourage Mathematics teaching
As you said, Mathematics is like leprosy to so many students. My appeal in the aspect of Mathematics and perhaps other subjects is that the government has been trying, at least, to employ Mathematics teachers, but should also think of other lofty programmes that will encourage students to love Mathematics. I remember my process of doing this when I celebrated a programme tagged: International Day of Mathematics. It was a programme that was approved by UNESCO. They bought into that programme. On that day, I did a quiz competition in Mathematics. I invited such schools as Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene; TopFaith International Schools, King’s Kids Christian Schools and Global Icon. Federal College won first position in the competition followed by TopFaith International Schools. The teachers and students were so happy. They believed that in every game, there must be a winner. And the programme encouraged a lot of students to love Mathematics because the theme of it was Playing with Mathematics and many students were playing with Mathematics, and it becomes part of their lives.
I urge the government of the day to see to it that in every school, there are competent Mathematics teachers and to also encourage students who are good in Mathematics by giving them scholarships. Which is why I want to launch a programme tagged ‘Ultimate Brain Search.’ In this programme, we will tour round the schools to pick students that are good in Mathematics and other Science-related courses. If you motivate, there is what we call motivating factor; if you motivate ‘A’, ‘B’ will be moved to do more.
I will also urge the government to support me and every other person – the teachers, the school management – to see to it that students have Mathematics materials that can help them. Do you know that there are students that don’t have money for a calculator, or a four figure table? They can also go to schools and share such and it will help because a calculator is very imperative in the world of Mathematics. So, I know that the government of the day can do this because they believe in betterment of the society.
On accepting government’s employment
That is a prayer for everybody. For someone to work in the civil service, for me, it is a safe ground. And I think you are guaranteed and sure that, at least, you have where to earn a living every month. Government’s work is 80 per cent guaranteed, unlike private sector which can fold up anytime or that person may decide to change a line of business. For me to work in government is what I have been praying for most of the times and I had applied for it before. I am a graduate of Electrical/Engineering. I made Upper Credit in the course and I have my exemption letter too from NYSC. So, I don’t think government is not willing to employ me. It is just that there are many people out there in the labour market for government to remember me. Assuming 1,000,000 people apply for a job and then 20 people are needed, you now see the chances for me now. But I believe and hope because one thing about this employment is that you also need someone that will recommend you. Nowadays, recommendation is necessary in picking someone with integrity who will not go and mess up in the organization. So, if I have someone to recommend me to government, I would be very happy to work.
Tributes to people dear to my hearts in helping me to accomplish the feat
My first tribute goes to God Almighty because God made all things possible for me. To God be the glory! The next person I want to appreciate is my project manager because he sacrificed his time and energy to make this a success. Another person is Michael Uko, who is a principal of a school in Ikot Ekpene.
Most importantly, I appreciate the management and staffers of King’s Kids International Schools, Uyo. They were my key sponsors. To give me a school that contains a hall, dormitory, good facilities, generating sets and all those things free, I attribute 60 per cent of my project to them. So without them, I don’t know how I would have done. On the aspect of feeding, my team that came to the programme and my students had to be fed for one week- some days feeding 50 people everyday from morning, afternoon to evening. Prof. Udoessien and his dear wife invested in the project. They gave me N300,000 plus all the facilities that we used. They gave out their kitchen and most of the people that were staying in the hostel had accommodation. So, I don’t know that kind of love- it’s a love beyond comparison.
I also need to thank many people they are numerous and I don’t know their names many people sent money to me outside. I want to appreciate Obong Emmanuel Ukpong Udo and many from nowhere who came to rescue me with good money. I want to say a big thank you to him and my local government Chairman even the Commissioner for Education for their presence was a very big help in boosting the event. I thank the students of Akwapoly too for the way they celebrated me, the Rector and the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). That was when I realized that a tree you cannot make a forest. To my project manager, my mother, family members and friends, I thank them all.
