The West Africa Examination Council and Vatebra Limited have rewarded Oyediran Akinloye, who emerged as overall best student in the 2022 WASSCE examinations with a cash prize of N500,000.

Three others, Pinn Margaret, Ede-Oballa, and Mgbemele Amarachi, were also rewarded.

The cash awards were presented to the students at the 61st annual meeting of the Nigeria National Council of the West Africa Examinations Council held at the Taal Conference Centre Lafia Nasarawa Atate.

The Head, Brand and Communications, Vatebra Limited, Ben Iyoha, disclosed this in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

According to Iyoha, the award was organised to recognise the important role of education as a catalyst for societal progress and as part of the firm’s commitment to celebrating academic achievement.

He said, “In a celebration of academic achievement and commitment to excellence, the West African Examinations Council and Vatebra Limited, a leading technology solutions provider, for the fourth year in a row awarded the best-performing public schools and public-school students at the West African Examinations Council examinations.

“In recognition of the importance of education as a catalyst for societal progress, in the last four years, Vatebra Limited in partnership with WAEC-Nigeria upheld the award to honour and celebrate the outstanding achievements of public-school students in the WAEC examinations. This award is a testament to Vatebra’s commitment to supporting and promoting educational excellence as a cornerstone for building a brighter future.

“This year’s award ceremony took place at the 61st annual meeting of the Nigeria National Council of the West Africa Examinations Council held at the Taal Conference Centrw, Lafia Nasarawa state. The awards for this year’s edition were for the Best Public Secondary School in the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) which went to Pinn Margaret Secondary Commercial School, Calabar-South, Cross River State. The Best Overall Public Secondary School in all subjects which went to Girls’ Secondary School, Ede-Enu, Ede-Oballa, Nsukka Enugu State.

“In the same manner, the Best Overall Candidate in Public Secondary Schools (Male) was awarded to Oyediran Felix Akinloye of Command Science Secondary School, Saki, Oyo State; while the Best Overall Candidate in Public Secondary Schools (Female) went to Mgbemele Blessing Amarachi of Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Maitama, Abuja.”

Iyoha added that the awardees were carefully selected for their demonstration of perseverance and intellectual prowess throughout their academic journey while stressing that the annual award will continue to encourage outstanding students from public schools.

“Both best overall candidate in Public Secondary school male and female recipients of the WAEC/Vatebra Merit Award, who demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and intellectual prowess throughout their academic journey expressed joy and promised to use their cash prize money to further their education.

“We will continue to be part of this auspicious event as both a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for the company and as a reward system for academic excellence in Nigeria’s public schools.

“The WAEC/Vatebra Merit Award is an annual initiative aimed at recognising and encouraging outstanding academic performance among public school students. The award reflects Vatebra’s commitment to investing in education as a means of fostering a knowledge-driven society,” he concluded.