YEAR 2020 YOUTH OF EXCELLENCE STRIDES (YES) AWARD AND COMMISSIONING OF TRAINING HALL HELD AT PAANEAH FOUNDATION SECRETARIAT, FEBRUARY 29TH 2020.

Paaneah foundation, an indigenous non-governmental adolescent and youth focused organisation in line with its mission, “to catalyse, promote, and support the development and well-being of adolescents and youths, particularly the most vulnerable groups, so as to attain excellence in every dimension of life”, held her annual “Youth of Excellence Strides” (YES) Award programme on February 29, 2020.

The YES Award is an annual event designed to encourage youths to strive to attain excellence by rewarding outstanding performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) popularly called Junior WAEC, and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) among students attending public secondary schools. This year’s event which featured impromptu speech competition; ‘Meet the mentor’ activity and presentation of findings from an adolescent-led, community-based study, was graced by eminent Ota indigenes, who were recognised as distinguished leaders, the awardees, their family members, representatives of public school students and teachers as well as past awardees among others.

This year’s event coincided with the commissioning of a 150-seater hall -MAFAT Hall- of the organisation. The programme kick started with an impromptu speech involving thirteen schools (5 junior and 8 senior secondary schools). The impromptu speech lasted for about 50 minute, with 2 speakers per school, each speaking for 3 and 2 minutes respectively on the topic “Healthy and safe communities: The school connection and the role of adolescents”. The Judges – Ogun state Head of Service, Mrs Ajibola Chokor, the chairman and vice of the Paaneah foundation, Mr Oye Taiwo and Mrs Dupe Olayoku and the secretary of the Awori Native Coalition (ANC), Mr Okeshade, rated the performance and selected winners who were duly recognised and presented prizes in both the junior and senior categories.

The commissioning of the training hall was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Awori/Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. J Akin Atere. The royal father of the day was the Onilogbo of Ilogbo, HRH Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele, who was also presented with Paaneah Distinguished Leadership and Legacy Award alongside Rt. Rev. J Akin Atere, Ogun state Head of Service, Mrs Ajibola Chokor and Dr Olusola Odunjinrin.

The Ministry of Education was duly represented at the event through the Ado-Odo, Ota Zonal Education Office in person of Mr Olu. A. Akinleye, who also granted the honour of presenting the best students/schools prizes alongside other dignitaries of the day.

The Meet the Mentor activity, a quarterly forum activity of our organisation was equally engaged and presided over by Dr. Olusanya Rufai, a distinguished US-based physician of Ota origin. Young people at the event had the opportunity to hear from him as well as interact with other successful and godly professionals to learn useful life lessons.

The Youth Excellence Stride Awardees were presented award certificates and cash prizes to the admiration of the audience. Each of the schools which the awardees represented were equally presented with gifts for the benefit of the school. The awardees are:

Best three Science students in the 2018 West African Examination Council (WAEC)

1. Aragbade Aramide Elizabeth; ex-student of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota.
2. Oyebode Halimah Pejuola; ex-student of African Church Community Secondary School, Ewupe-Ota
3. Opeoluwa Blessing Kemi; ex-student African Church Community Secondary School

Best three Art students in the 2018 West African Examination Council (WAEC)

1. Sulaiman Olabisi Nurat; ex-student of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota
2. Oladipupo Oluwatobi Blessing; ex-student of Local Government Secondary School, Atan Ota
3. Adegbule Abigael Funmilayo; ex-student of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota

Overall best 3 students of the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)

1. First position: Adenle Taiwo Segun; Ex-student of Ansar-udeen Comprehensive High School Jnr Lafenwa, Ota
2. Second position: Adebisi Oluwabamise Michael; Ex-student of Ansar-udeen Comprehensive High School Jnr Lafenwa, Ota
3. Second position: Asafa Abubakri Adewunmi; Ex-student of Ansar-udeen Comprehensive College (Jnr) Ota
4. Third position: Soetan Dimeji Michael; Ex-student of Ansar-udeen Comprehensive High School Jnr Lafenwa, Ota
5. Third position: Osinusi Solomon Oluwaseyi; Ex-student of Ansar-udeen Comprehensive College (Jnr) Ota