A new television reality show called Highflyer has been inaugurated. Unlike several other reality shows that are, however, meant to provide entertainment, Highflyer was conceived as a response to the challenges in the Nigerian education sector.
The inauguration of the show attracted many dignitaries, including the Deputy Managing Director, The Sun Newspapers, Mr Femi Adesina, who said any programme aimed at arresting the rot in the educational system should be encouraged.
“The educational situation is desperate; so any style, format or procedure that we can go through to change what is on ground is welcomed and accepted,” he said.
The unveiling of Highflyer at Welcome Centre Hotel, Lagos, was marked by the presentation of academic excellence awards to those the organisers considered deserving of them.
In a lecture he delivered at the programme, Adesina, who is also the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, identified underfunding as a major cause of the crisis in the sector.
According to him, there is a minimum funding requirement for education as prescribed by the UNESCO, which Nigeria has not yet met. He thus enjoined governments and other stakeholders to work towards attaining the requirement.
Chairman/Managing Director, Global Educational Initiative, USA Inc., Dr. Bright Winner, said the project was developed based on his belief that people relate more with reality shows and it is important to catch the attention of people because one cannot solve a problem without the attention of those affected.
Winner disclosed that Highflyer will be in three phases and the children will be taken abroad to expose them to what is out there.
He said, “The initiative was conceived and designed by Steward Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Education Initiative USA Inc. as a TV reality programme geared towards inspiring, motivating and fostering innovative thinking and patriotic zeal of our wards.”
