Odun-Akintayo Feyi of Anchor Springfield Schools has emerged as the overall winner of the 2023 edition of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) Scholars’ Day.
Feyi came out on top in the Scholars’ Day one-off internet-based test held on Saturday, July 15, in Lagos, scoring 91.67%. The assessment made up of English Language, Civic Education, and Mathematics, had 199 candidates.
Joined by Feyi on the podium was Ahmad Abdul Waheed Agboola (Lagos Impact International College) who scored 90%, and Blazers School’s Yusuf Animashaun (85%).
17 other outstanding young Nigerians were honoured on the day. The competition, for SS1 and SS2 secondary school students, rewarded 20 outstanding pupils with N10,000 cash prize each.
“Nigeria Needs To Invest More In Education”, Says Yabatech Rector
Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), who gave the keynote address at the event, called for continuous investment in the education of Nigerian youth. According to him, this is key to rekindling education in the country.
“There is need for us to improve our investment in education. And when I say investment, we need to invest in quality infrastructure, resource development; we need to invest in training the teachers too.
“In government allocation of funds, education does not take priority position. The allocations of funds to education in Nigeria is still below the expected level; grossly insufficient.”
Dr. Abdul admonished individuals to continue to invest funds in their own education while offering same counsel for corporate entities vis-à-vis their staff.
“Our Greatest Investments Towards A Prosperous Nation Lies In Youth Education”: AEI Director
Speaking at the event, themed ‘Rekindling the Educational System in Nigeria’, the Executive Director of AEI, Engr. Faheed Olajide emphasised the need to pay attention to youth education.
He said AEI has been supporting the governments at all levels with respect to educational developments.
His words:
“A good education does not have a substitute in a nation’s quest for development. Our country, Nigeria, is not an exemption to this reality.
“Our greatest investments towards a prosperous nation, therefore, lies in youth education.”
“I Don’t Consider Myself A Genius” – LASU Stargirl, Aminat Yusuf
Responding to a question about her great intellect, Aminat Imoitesemeh Yusuf, the record-setting first-class Law graduate from the Lagos State University (LASU), humbly refused to wear the tag of a genius.
She said at the AEI Scholars’ Day: “No, I don’t consider myself a genius.
“I believe genius are people who find studying very easy. They get a grasp of whatever they are reading at very quick space. So, if that’s the case, I really can’t say I’m a genius.”
Nigeria’s Education System Needs Urgent Attention – Speaker
One of the guest speakers, Prince Mike Adewoye, who is the proprietor of Racy and Sturdy Schools, lamented that the state of the education system in Nigeria needs urgent attention.
Prince Adewoye urged the government and school owners to ensure that teachers are properly trained.
His words:
“The current state of our educational status in Nigeria needs to be rekindled.”
Speaking further, Prince Adewoye advised that the country’s education system should be focused on relevance and productivity.
TOP MEDIA reports that the AEI Award/Scholars’ Day has become a household name in the Nigerian educational sector.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) has been championing the cause of educational advancement in the country.
Arguably the most outstanding educational NGO in Nigeria, AEI has honoured the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a former Governor of Lagos State; Aminat Yusuf, the record-setting first-class Law graduate from LASU; sports legend, Chief Segun Odegbami; among others.
