The Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, has said education remains the foundation of every thriving society.
The Minister said this on Thursday at the 2nd National Education Awards Programme (NEAP), organised to honour the overall best students at the 2023 West Africa Certificate Examination (WACE) and National Examination Certificate (NECO) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEAP awards, which was co-organised by the Federal. Ministry of Education, has “Incentivising Learning and Reading Processes for Optimal Performance” as its theme.
Ahmad said that education is a subject which empowers individuals to unlock their potentials for self actualisation and foster sustainable progress.
“Education is essential to national development, strengthening social cohesion, cultivating leaders, and breaking the cycle of poverty to illuminate society’s path to complete globally.
“To our outstanding students, congratulations! Your hard work and commitment to excellence have yielded desired results, etching your names in the ministry’s hall of Fame.
” You have demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of your studies.
“This moment is a stepping stone towards even greater achievements. Let this recognition inspires you to keep reaching new heights,” minister said.
Chief Christian-Ebubechukwu Igbokwe, President/Founder, Chris Igbokwe Foundation, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said that the award recipients stood out like colossus amongst their peers in their various schools.
Igbokwe, who was represented by Elder Steve Eboh, the Vice President of the foundation, stated that he was privileged to have gone through certain brief of the awardees, adding that they all stood out in their academic performances.
“This is a symbol of hard work, dedication and excellence. I am convinced that with these set of awardees, Nigeria’s education will attain the required height and become one of the best in the world again.
“As I had said times without number, the basic foundation of life begins with self which goes with the slogan ‘I CAN’. This phrase symbolises singular determination to succeed and excel in all facets of life,” Igbokwe said.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee of NEAP, Mr Anselm Ijebor, said no government could drive its education sector alone without partnering with stakeholders in the education sector
According to him, the aim of NEAP is to identify brilliant students with high academic achievement at the level of Senior Secondary School Examination for immediate scholarship.
“The mission statement of NEAP is to mobilise the citizenry and organised private sector for a robust partnership in the identification and public harmony of academic excellence and valuable contribution for education development in Nigeria,” he said.
NAN reports that Miss Orevaoghene Whiskey, a graduating student of Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak Essien Udim, Akwa-Ibom State was awarded a cash prize of N500, 000 as the overall best student in the 2023 WACE.
Chima Christian Okafor who graduated from St. Paul Academy, Jos was awarded N300, 000 as the second best student in the 2023 WACE, with another cash prize of N500, 000 as the overall best student in the 2023 NECO SSCE.
Miss Ifebube Benson, a graduate of Renaissance Garden Secondary School, Ago, Lagos came out as the second best student in the 2023 NECO SSCE and was awarded a cash prize of N300, 000.
NAN also reports that Miss Owuye Faheezah Oluwakemi, a graduate of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Lagos secured the overall best student in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and was awarded a cash of N300, 000
Miss Jegede Oshotame Gabriella, a student of Igbinedion Junior Secondary School, Benin City, secured the second best overall student at the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and was awarded N200, 000. NAN