Obayemi… on global map with ‘A Level’ excellent result

A Nigerian student, John Pius-Obayemi recently puts the country positively on the global map, when he performed excellently well during an international examination, Cambridge Advanced Level. He came out of the examination, a three star general, as he got three A stars in Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry.

Surprisingly, Obayemi did not complete his secondary education from one of the high-fee paying private secondary schools. He graduated from a public secondary school, before he got scholarship to write his A level examinations at The Vale Tutorial College, reason he is called a Atinuke Ige Scholar.

Aside Obayemi, another student, Fatihi Abdulmalik, courtesy of the tutorial centre also was exceptional, achieving second best result with another three A stars in Sociology, Economics and Mathematics.

This is not the first time the college will put Oyo state and Nigeria on the global academic achievements. In 2014, Maryam Adeyanju got A, A, A, in Chemistry, Physics, Biology and emerged as 2014 Best Result. Boluwatife Adewale followed suits in 2015 with A*, A*, A, in Chemistry, Physics, Biology while AbdulHammed Babatunde equally achieved the same feat in 2017 with A*, A*, A*, in Chemistry, Physics, Biology while Joel Christiana also achieved A*, B, B, in Sociology, Literature, History, recording 2019 Best Results.

Still basking in the euphoria of his attainment, Obayemi, a former student of Command Day Secondary School, Odogbo, Ibadan, not new to winning academic laurels having scored 6 As, 1 B and 2 Cs in his WAEC examinations gave kudos to the convener of Atinuke Ige scholarship, Mrs. Funso Adegbola, nee Bola Ige.

He really felt elated coming top in the examinations, because it was a bit more than what he had expected. “Initially, I got a bit discouraged about achieving those scores, but when we started coursework, but I put in my best.

“TVTC impacted my academic life. The teachers are also very good and experienced, and I can say that my academic strengths were developed and advanced there. After this, I plan on seeking international admissions and scholarships to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering.”

The atmosphere learning was conducted in the tutorial college says a lot at the enabling environment for the students to succeed. Serene and neat setting greets a first-time visitor to the Vale Tutorial College tucked inside New Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State. The gigantic edifice painted in grey and white stands tall in the expansive compound. To a passerby, it is a citadel of learning, but for its occupants, it is more than a mere academic ground. It is exceptional. It is an upper sixth form college that has propelled its past and present students to excel and climb extra ordinary heights in both national and international examinations.

Founded 10 years ago by Mrs. Adegbola, the Vale Tutorial College, an offshoot of The Vale College is an independent entity established because of the need to prepare students to be better mature for university admission, as A-level is a solid foundation and pathway to foreign university and 200 level in Nigerian universities. So, it has been 10 years of propagating academic excellence.

Recently, the school management in compliance with government’s directive to keep COVID-19 at bay celebrated its exceptionally brilliant finalists during a Valedictory service for the 2020 graduation class.

On what makes the centre different from other Upper Sixth Form Colleges? Adegbola said it is a combination of factors. “We do an excellent job, with our students achieving high grades and we have first-rate, comfortable hostel facilities. We are not just a centre, we are a full-fledged school. Students have leadership training sessions every weekend; sessions on character development, mentoring sessions between alumni and current students.”

Throwing more light on the Atinuke Ige Scholarship, which bring succor to brilliant students from public schools in Oyo State, Adegbola said it is a way of giving back some of the values she imbibed from her late parents. “I started the Atinuke Ige Scholarship in 2013 for students who finished their WAEC in public schools in Oyo and Osun States. One of the cardinal points of my father’s party then, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was free education for all at all levels. My parents believed in education not for their only biological children, but education of other people’s children. They have three biological children, but raised over 300 children.” She disclosed that the scholarship worth N2.5 million for each winner.

It has been one decade of providing qualitative education. But what is next for TVTC? “The reward of good work is more excellent work. 10 years is only the beginning, God has been faithful and we trust Him that the next 10 years will see increase and enlargement on all sides of TVTC- numerically, physically, spiritually and materially. In 10 years, our Alumni would have become leading experts in their chosen fields and they will be mentoring the future students of the College, by God’s grace,” Adegbola stated.