A student receiving her award at the ceremony
By Buba Gagigo
Trust Bank celebrated the academic achievements of ten grade 9 students on Monday, during the Millennium Award presentation ceremony.
The ceremony, which took place at a local hotel in Senegambia, was graced by the honourable Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Claudina Cole, the Chairman of the Conference of Principals, Muhammed Jabbi, the Representative of the National Head Office for WASSCE, Sang Silvesta Gomez, and Trust Bank’s Managing Director, Mrs. Njilan Senghore among others.
The ten outstanding students each received D15,000, a certificate of excellence, and a commemorative tablet. The best student among them got an extra prize of D10,000, while the school with the best overall results got D20,000. The school with the most awardees also received D25,000.
Minister Claudina Cole congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue working hard. She said that education requires perseverance, seriousness, and studiousness. She also reminded them that this was just the first step to success, and that they need to be focused, disciplined, and of good character.
“It’s not easy. It’s very difficult. We’ve all gone through education. And we know it takes perseverance, It takes seriousness, it takes studiousness to be able to reach at the point that these 10 young ladies and gentlemen have arrived at, have reached, which they were reminded that is not the end of the world.
“Is just the first step, the first step to success. There are many more steps ahead of you. But I’m happy that you’ve also been reminded that you need to be focused, you need to be disciplined, You need to have a good conduct, you need to develop a good character. You need to work hard to continue to work hard,” minister Claudina Cole told the students who attended the ceremony.
Trust Bank’s Managing Director, Njilan Senghore, commended the students and said that they have a bright future ahead of them. She said that they are valuable resources to the country and urged them to affirm, own, and achieve their goals. She also told them that this award was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. She advised them to challenge themselves, embrace new ideas, and never lose sight of their goals. She said that the country needs people like them who are always striving for excellence.
“What we see in you today, what your parents and guardians and teachers see in you today, is a future filled with pride. You are going to be valuable resources to this country. Affirm it, own it, and make sure you do it. As you move forward in your pursuit of higher education. I want you to remember that this award is not the end of your journey. You, haven’t arrived. You’re just starting.
“It is the beginning of a new chapter. You have already accomplished so much, but there is still so much more to do and to achieve. I encourage you to continue to challenge yourself to embrace new experiences and ideas, and to never lose sight of your goals. As we celebrate your achievements, I urge each one of you to continue to strive for excellence in your chosen fields. Our country needs people like you who are constantly pushing themselves to be the best that they can be,” she said.
The Chairman of the Conference of Principals, Muhammed Jabbi and Sang Silvesta Gomez, representing the National Head Office for WASSCE, praised the Bank for the noble gesture. Awa Kebba Bojang from Gambia Methodist Academy, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the Bank for the kind gesture.
Trust Bank’s initiative to honour and reward academic excellence not only motivates students to pursue high standards, but also acknowledges the dedication and effort of educators and parents in nurturing the nation’s future leaders. The ceremony demonstrated the vital role of all stakeholders in creating a better and more prosperous future for The Gambia.
Awa Kebba Bojang from Gambia Methodist Academy received D10,000, a table, and a certificate of excellence for being the best student. Her school also got D20,000 for having the best result. Mansa Colley Bojang Upper Basic School got D25,000 for having the most awardees. Each student, including Awa Kebba Bojang, got D15,000, a tablet, and a certificate of excellence.