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Promasidor Marks 20 Years of Reigniting Passion for Mathematics

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By Dipo Olowookere

The relationship between Cowbell and Mathematics hit a milestone this year with the celebration of 20 years of rewarding and celebrating secondary school students thriving in the subject dreaded by students in Nigeria.

Last week, to mark this celebration, organisers of the show, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, aired a special edition of the Cowbellpedia show titled ‘Cowbell Milk of Kindness’.

The programme highlighted the remarkable contributions of Cowbell Milk to Mathematics in the country through the voices of student participants in a special ‘docu-feature’ produced to commemorate the relationship between Cowbell and Mathematics in the last twenty years.

Parents, teachers, students, and other stakeholders in the education sector have applauded Promasidor Nigeria Limited for this continued support and sponsorship of this program.

The impact of the mathematics quiz show has been massive in arousing and re-awakening the interest of students, especially at the secondary school level as testified to by several teachers.

One of such teachers was Mr Hamzat Dankanawa of Nigeria Tulip International College, Abuja, who has been in the profession for over two decades.

With a vast knowledge in tutoring Mathematics, Mr Danakawa towered above his peers for being able to motivate students to participate in the Cowbellpedia competition consistently over the years.

As a mentor and teacher, he equally noted that the impact of the competition on the students could not be quantified as the programme has helped the students to expand their horizon in the subject.

Another teacher with the Federal Government Science Academy, Suleja, Niger State, Mr Olugbenga Otunnubi, also remains a shining star in his commitment to teaching and nurturing students for Mathematics and participating in Cowbellpedia competition for several years.

Mr Otunubi, with about three decades experience as a teacher, is described as an exceptional Mathematics teacher by his colleagues. He also lauded the Cowbellpedia initiative for its impact on the lives of students and future inventors.

On his part, Mr Femi Fasotito, teacher of the 2015 and 2017 champion of the competition, Munachi Ernest-Eze, commended Promasidor for what he described as an unparalleled intervention to support Mathematics education in Nigeria.

For his role in building a champion, Mr Fasotito received N250,000 cash prize in 2015 and another N400,000 in 2017.

“I am a fulfilled teacher today because the performance of my students in various external examinations is now the major talking point among teachers in the school. It has also become a thing of pride for the school,” he enthused.

Munachi himself, who was a student of Loyola Jesuit School in Abuja, got N750,000 as the junior champion in 2015 and N1 million as a senior champion two years later, in addition to educational excursions outside the country.

Munachi’s parents, Mr and Mrs Ike Ernest-Eze, disclosed that Promasidor and Cowbellpedia have made them the happiest couple and parents in the world.

In 2016, Promasidor began to encourage mixed schools to present a minimum of two girls for each category to represent them in a bid to promote girl-child education further.

A direct impact of the girl-child campaign championed by UNICEF was felt in 2016 when 8 of the 12 finalists in the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show competition were girls.

Recognising this effort, Ms Jean Gough, Country Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in her goodwill message, commended the Cowbellpedia team for its commitment to education for all in Nigeria.

She maintained that investing in girl education is perhaps the most cost-effective opportunity to break the cycle of poverty permanently.

Ms Jean Gough was represented by Charles Nzuki, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, at the 20th-anniversary celebrations.

An impressed National Examination Council (NECO) also commended Promasidor for stimulating the interest of Nigerian students in Mathematics through Cowbellpedia.

From its beginning in 1998, Cowbell and Mathematics have expanded in size, scope, and prizes. It now holds in over 200 centres across the nation and over 11,000 schools.

To further underscore its expansion, the number of students participating jumped from 33,269 in 2015 to over 50,000 in 2017. In 2018 registration took a new turn to strictly online from which over 40,000 students registered and sat for the examination conducted on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Education

Orire School Abduction: Oyo Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike

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Orire School Abduction

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Teachers in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, 2026, commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of their colleagues and some pupils about two weeks ago.

The teachers withdraw their services from schools until further notice in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

In a statement on Sunday, the group said the industrial action affects all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State.

They are aggrieved over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.

According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.

The NUT said the industrial action is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.

It urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.

The association also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagements with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

The NUT assured members that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and security of teachers and learners across the country.

A few weeks ago, some terrorists stormed the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped dozens of children and teachers. They have remained in captivity, with the federal government only sending a delegation to the town on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

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KolaDaisi University Hosts Career Fair June 10 in Ibadan

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KolaDaisi University Career Fair

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, KolaDaisi University (KDU), in a bid to strengthen the talent-to-industry pipeline, will hold its inaugural Career Fair at its campus in Ibadan, Oyo State, with over 200 final-year students, alumni, and a diverse range of leading employers across multiple sectors expected to partake in the programme.

The one-day event, organised by the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, will feature participation from top-tier organisations spanning finance, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and other key industries.

Participating companies will engage directly with students, offering opportunities for graduate trainee programmes, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) placements, internships, and entry-level employment.

In addition to recruitment opportunities, the Career Fair will include a series of industry-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking engagements designed to provide students with insights into workplace expectations, emerging career trends, and professional development pathways.

“At KolaDaisi University, we are deliberate about preparing our students for life beyond the classroom. This Career Fair represents a critical platform for fostering meaningful engagement between our students and industry leaders.

“It is not just an event, but a long-term investment in partnerships that will drive innovation, talent development, and economic growth,” the President of the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Mrs Olasumbo Obaseki, stated.

The Career Fair underscores the university’s commitment to equipping its students with not only academic excellence but also the practical skills, professional exposure, and networks required for success in today’s competitive labour market.

It is put together in collaboration with key industry partners, including Chapel Hill Denham, Mobile Screens and Sound Limited, SKOT Communications, LEADWAY Assurance, HighlerLife Properties Consult Ltd, Idea Konsult, New Horizons Nigeria, alongside several other organisations committed to nurturing emerging talent.

These partnerships reflect a shared vision of developing a workforce that is both competent and responsive to evolving industry needs.

This impactful and timely initiative is an essential platform for aligning academic outcomes with industry expectations.

The initiative forms part of KDU’s broader institutional strategy to enhance graduate employability through sustained industry engagement, career readiness programmes, and alumni relations.

By creating structured opportunities for interaction between students and employers, the institution continues to position itself as a forward-thinking institution committed to producing globally competitive graduates.

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Education

Tinubu Appoints 39-Year-Old Prof Segun Aina as New JAMB Registrar

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prof segun aina JAMB

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Professor Segun Aina has been appointed to replace Professor Is-haq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The two-term tenure of his successor expires on July 31, 2026.

Mr Aina was chosen for the position by President Bola Tinubu, and he is expected to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor.

According to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes. These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.

With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.

He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.

Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

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