2024 WAEC: Sachet water seller’s son achieves Lagos’ best WASSCE result, wins scholarship
Muslim expressed his excitement about the prize, stating that the scholarship money comes at a time when he was unsure how his parents would raise his required fees at the University of Lagos
Muslim Adewale, a 17-year-old boy who recently graduated from Birch Freeman Senior High School in Surulere, Lagos, has achieved the highest result in the 2024 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) within the entire Lagos Education District Six.
As a result, he has been awarded a scholarship. Muslim, a science student, scored 6 As, including Mathematics, along with 1 B3 and 2 C4 in the school-based examination.
He also scored 302 out of 400 in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reported that many candidates failed. Muslim is currently awaiting admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Akoka to study Computer Science.
The scholarship prize amounts to half a million naira and was provided by God’s Covenant Church of All Nations, Ikeja, as part of its commitment to support indigent members of the community.
His parents are Mr. Rasheed Adewale, a commercial bus driver, and Mrs. Rasheedat Adewale, a petty trader who sells pure water in front of their house. Muslim expressed his excitement about the prize, stating that the scholarship money comes at a time when he was unsure how his parents would raise his required fees at UNILAG once he is offered admission.
Muslim’s parents, who did not go beyond secondary school, value education and are willing to forgo food and nice clothes to ensure he and his elder sister receive a good education beyond the secondary level. Muslim expressed his desire for additional support from other organizations, both public and private, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to ease his educational journey and make it less stressful for his parents.
The award was presented to Muslim during this year’s annual merit awards and honors organized by Education District 6, Lagos State, for school administrators, teachers, other school staff, and students in the district, which comprises the Ikeja, Mushin, and Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Areas.
Dr. Shareefah Yusuf, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS) of Education District 6, congratulated Muslim and other awardees at the event, urging them to maintain their excellent performance and strive to exceed it. She noted that no fewer than 800 teachers were nominated for various categories of awards from both junior and senior secondary schools within the district, but only 36 qualified.
Other categories included Best Principals and Vice Principals of the Year, Best Heads of Departments of the Year, and two outstanding students in the recently released 2024 WASSCE and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Mr. Olusola Ajala, Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, who sponsored the Vice Principals’ award category, stated that his support was part of the government’s responsibility to encourage hard work and dedication among teachers and students.
He urged parents and community leaders to contribute to raising children who will be worthy ambassadors for the nation, particularly regarding the responsible use of social media. ...Continue Reading
