As a reward for her performance in the West African Examination Council ((WAEC), the best graduating student of Topfaith International School (TIS), Mkpatak, in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Miss Whiskey Ovareva Oghene, has received a cash prize of $1000 from the school management.
Whiskey, who got nine Alphas in all subjects during the last Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC, also won 48 star prizes and other categorical awards instituted by different groups and corporate bodies in the school.
Addressing the exit students at the 19th graduation ceremony of the College at the weekend, the proprietor of Topfaith Group of Schools, Dr Emmanuel Abraham, said, “the $1000 cash prize awarded to the best graduating student was in fulfilment of long standing policy of giving such amount to her best student in the past 19 years.”
Abraham said the best graduand also shone amongst the brightest, scoring 340 marks in the last Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, adding that one of the students also scored the highest marks in physics and biology at Cambridge examination.
He said, “Based on the Board policy, Oreva Oghene Whiskey, has won cash prize of $1,000, at whatever exchange rate available. Take it to the bank. Get either Dollar or Naira equivalent at prevailing exchange rate.
“We have been doing this to our best graduating students over the years. We want corporate bodies and individuals to support us in our encouragement to motivate best brains in our school system.”
He recalled that the graduating students were among the best sets that embraced entrepreneurial spirit as captured in the vision of the college and advised the graduating students to manage their success, and “should not allow their success to get into your head.
“But let me say here that success itself has challenges. Develop an attitude that gives you reasons to manage success. Don’t get intoxicated and maddened by the level of success properly when it comes unexpected,” he said recalling that the first graduation ceremony started with only 23 students some years ago, adding the number has increased to 170 in 2023.
The chairman of occasion, Dr Paul Okpara, charged the graduands to exhibit high level of discipline in all their endeavours as success in the school could also manifest in the larger society.
The registrar of the University of Calabar, Gabriel Egbe, noted that Topfaith School has become one of the fastest growing schools, adding that the proprietor has impacted so much to the society in the education sector.