Four exceptional students who achieved outstanding scores in the 2024 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations have been awarded a total of N4 million in cash by the Bauchi State Government.
The students were recognized for securing the highest marks in the 2024 examinations out of all candidates who sat for the test.
During the presentation of the cash awards in Bauchi on Tuesday, the State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, stated that the gesture aimed to inspire other students to strive for academic excellence. Represented by the Head of the Civil Service, Alh. Yahuza Adamu, the governor announced that each student would receive N1 million to support their admission into their preferred higher institutions.
The governor emphasized the state government’s dedication to human capital development, saying, “Human capital development is the key to every form of progress. If you want to destroy a generation, a country, or a nation, all you need to do is destroy its education system—no need for weapons.”
He continued, “Once people are uneducated, they are already destroyed. This is why our government has been prioritizing education, working tirelessly to ensure it receives the utmost attention.”
Governor Bala Mohammed highlighted the students’ achievements as a testament to the effectiveness of Bauchi State’s education system. “If someone can sit in Bauchi State and score 348, it shows that our education system is delivering results. If these four students can achieve this, there are many more with similar potential,” he said.
He urged the Ministry of Education staff to build on this success by identifying and supporting more talented students. “I hope that in the near future, we can celebrate 40 students from Bauchi who score above 300 in JAMB,” he added.
The governor congratulated the students, their parents, and all Bauchi State students, encouraging them to aim higher and surpass this year’s achievers.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Alh. Ali Babayo, praised the governor for fostering an environment conducive to the successful implementation of education policies. He revealed that the process began months ago when the ministry requested JAMB to provide the names of the top-performing students from Bauchi State.
“These four students, whose names were submitted by JAMB, have set an example for others to follow, especially those preparing for the next examination,” Babayo said.
The students, identified as Kawthar Shehu (348), Geoffrey Yakubu (347), Abdullahi Garba (347), and Magaji Umar (333), were celebrated for their exceptional performance.
On behalf of the parents, Malam Ali Garba expressed gratitude to the state government for the generous support, noting that the funds would greatly assist the students in their academic pursuits.
