Stakeholders in the nation’s education sector have praised Promasidor Nigeria Limited for consistently promoting the study of Mathematics, the result of which is reflected in a record participation in this year’s Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show.

A total of 56,073 students sat for Stage One examination of the competition, sponsored by Cowbell milk, the flagship brand from the company. This marks a 34 per cent increase over the 41,730 students who took part in the examination last year, when the registration format became strictly online.

The competition has witnessed progressive increase in participation in the last four years, during which period 195,474 students had featured in the Stage One examinations.

Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, Managing Partner of Edumark Consult and Co-ordinator of Concerned Parents Network, saluted the efforts of the company in nurturing young talents through the Cowbellpedia initiatives. She enjoined other corporate organisations to emulate the brand’s noble gesture, which has been of great benefit to the society.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Agboola Alphonso, an education psychologist based in Ibadan, Oyo State said that the Cowbellpedia projects have been wonderful in stimulating the interest of young students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. “I move round the state, from Ibadan to Iseyin and even to Abeokuta, Ogun State in the course of my work, and what I have seen about the Cowbellpedia effects have been wonderful. I salute the efforts and pray for more strength for the company and Cowbell milk,” he said.

On her part, Mrs. Morenikeji Sowemimo, whose son participated in the examination in an Ogun State centre, also commended the initiatives and its impact on her child. She explained that the competition fired up the interest of her child in the subject and it eventually paid off in his West African Examination Council (WAEC)  and the Joint Admission and Matriculation (JAMB) examinations.

“I thank Promasidor and Cowbellpedia for revving up the interest of my son in Mathematics. He was an average student until the Cowbellpedia opportunity came and it sharpened his skills and boosted his confidence. Today, I am happy for it,” she enthused.

The result of State One examination is expected to be announced in June with the best 108 students (54 each for junior and senior categories) proceeding to Stage Two, which is the Television Quiz Show. That will be in a quiz format and further sub-divided into preliminary, semi-finals and final rounds.

The show will be serialised into 13 episodes and aired on major television stations across the country.

In flagging of the competition last year, the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria, Anders Einarsson had announced that the ultimate prize is N2 million plus and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country. The first and second runners-up will go home with N1.5million and N1 million respectively.