BY Nnamdi Ojiego

The continued declined in the standard of education in Nigeria has become a cause to worry not only to education stakeholders but also to those in the health sector.

Fidson Healthcare Plc, makers of Astymin brand, has expressed worries over the dwindling standard of education in our schools, stressing that if nothing drastic is done to stem the ugly trend, our children may be ill prepared for the challenges of the future.

The company stated that the quality of early education was critical for any child as it is the foundation upon which other further learning is built upon. It was against this backdrop and the need to find a way to encourage young children to excel in their studies that Astymin Brilliance Reward, ABR, was initiated.

The ABR, according to the General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare, Mr Ola Ijimakoni, noted that the reading culture amongst teens and youths in Nigeria is worrisome and the drive for academic excellence is no longer strong.

“Increased internet accessibility and the proliferation of social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and others, which should be tools for social education, research and intellectual exchange have unfortunately become platforms for various delinquencies and sometimes, building of unhealthy relationships.”

According to him, it was because of this that Astymin is partnering with primary schools to encourage and reward outstanding kids, stating that Astymin was committed to inspiring kids to exceptional performance in school.

Ijimakoni, who spoke to journalists at Fidson headquarters in Lagos as part of activities to mark this year’s ABR day, said the programme was introduced to motivate pupils to stay focused on their studies and having at the back of their minds that their hard work would be rewarded.

The program rewards the best graduating student in primary schools that are on the Astymin School Program. All the children are brought together for a day of fun where they have the opportunity to spend a whole day together and network with other best graduating pupils from other schools.

Best graduating pupil from over two hundred primary schools in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states will be rewarded at this year’s edition. They will also be given academic materials such text books, dictionaries, among other packages. The event holds in July of every year.