The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, says education remains the foundation of every thriving society.

The minister said this on Thursday at the second National Education Awards Programme, organised to honour the overall best students at the 2023 West Africa Certificate Examination and National Examination Certificate in Abuja.

According to the minister, education empowers individuals to unlock their potential for self-actualisation and foster sustainable progress.

The chairman of the planning committee of NEAP, Anselm Ijebor, said no government could drive its education sector alone without partnering with stakeholders in the education sector.

According to him, NEAP aims to identify brilliant students with high academic achievement at the Senior Secondary School Examination level for immediate scholarship.

Orevaoghene Whiskey, a graduating student of Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom, was awarded a cash prize of N500,000 as the overall best student in the 2023 WACE.

Chima Christian Okafor, who graduated from St. Paul Academy, Jos, was awarded N300,000 as the second-best student in the 2023 WACE, with another cash prize of N500,000 as the overall best student in the 2023 NECO SSCE.

Ifebube Benson, a graduate of Renaissance Garden Secondary School, Ago, Lagos, came out as the second best student in the 2023 NECO SSCE and was awarded a cash prize of N300, 000.

Owuye Faheezah Oluwakemi, a graduate of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Lagos, secured the overall best student in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and was awarded cash of N300,000.

Jegede Oshotame Gabriella, a student of Igbinedion Junior Secondary School, Benin City, secured the second-best overall student at the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and was awarded N200 000.

(NAN)