To recognise academic brilliance, reward outstanding students, and encourage healthy competition, the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation has compensated the top three outstanding students in the 2023 National Examination Council (NECO) with over N2 million.
Emeke Iwerebon, the chairman of Learn Africa Plc in his speech during the 2024 Learn Africa-NECO Excellence Awards said the company’s unwavering commitment to academic brilliance gave rise to establishing the award as part of its corporate social responsibility drive.
“This initiative aims to reward academic brilliance among students, appreciate teachers’ dedication, recognise schools that produce outstanding students in the yearly NECO June/July Senior Secondary Examinations, and encourage healthy competition at the secondary school level.
“We understand the challenges on the path to academic success, and we are here to support and encourage every step of the way,” he said.
According to Iwerebon, the 2024 edition of the award is the sixth in the series though it started 12 years ago. The company which was formerly known as Longman Plc honoured the three national outstanding candidates in the 2023 June/July NECO examination.
Okafor Christian, a former student of Saint Paul’s Academy in Jos, Plateau State received the sum of N1 million as the best student, while Benson Ifebube from Renaissance Garden Secondary School in Ago-Okota in Lagos State came second with prize money of N750,000, and Taleatu Oluwatimilehin from Oritamefa Baptist Model School in Ibadan, Oyo State got N500,000 as third best.
Addressing the students, he said; “To our exceptional scholars, your achievements are not just personal victories but a testament to the collective efforts of your families, teachers, and schools.
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and it is their unwavering support and guidance that have helped you reach this pinnacle of success. We salute their dedication and commitment to nurturing your talents and helping you realise your potential.”
He reminded the students their achievements are just the beginning, and expressed hope that they will serve as a stepping stone towards even greater accomplishments in their academic journey.
Okafor, the overall best student expressed delight for the feat which he dedicated to God and hard work.
The 17-year-old student of medicine and surgery at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said he had been involved in many other examinations before the NECO examination which made it easy for him to achieve A1 in all his nine subjects.
He applauded his parents for the support he received and is still getting from them which he said made it possible for him to achieve the feat.
In the same vein, Ifebube, who is also a student of medicine and surgery at the University of Abuja, said she got nine As in her NECO despite the challenges because she made away with social media and concentrated on her studies.
According to the 19-year-old Anambra State born who began her academic conquest in South Africa, she lost some academic calendar in order due to the logistics of moving to Nigeria for the examination, but she was determined to excel.
Taleatu, the third-place winner would love to be a neurologist, following the footsteps of his father who is a medical doctor, and his mentor. The Osun State-born is currently writing his A levels.
Adelana Adeleke, the head of marketing at Learn Africa Plc, in his opening remarks applauded the awardees and encouraged other students to draw inspiration from their colleagues being celebrated.
The Learn Africa-NECO Excellence Awards is organised with the collaboration of the examination council, which is responsible for collating and making available the names of the outstanding students.
