By Ayodele Oni
A 16-year old boy from Ekiti state, Bright Olalekan Oladele, has emerged the best candidate in the National Entrance Examination into the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
Oladele was hosted on Wednesday by the first lady of Ekiti state, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji during which he expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his wife, for facilitating his admission into the prestigious institution.
Oladele thanked the First Lady for taking the prompt step of drawing the attention of her husband to his request for assistance in paying the fee required for his training at the Flying School which was graciously approved by the Governor.
The 16-year-old who is proceeding to NCAT to commence his training as a pilot next week, came first out of 600 candidates that sat for the National Entrance Examination into NCAT.
After the national examination, 19 candidates were shortlisted and Oladele later emerged as the best candidate in further tests and interview.
Receiving the boy and his parents, the First Lady described the prospective pilot, who is a native of Aisegba Ekiti as a shining Ekiti star urging the young ones to emulate his brilliance, industry and excellence.
She said the decision to foot the academic bills of Oladele by the Governor was not borne out of self-aggrandizement, but the need not to allow his dream to die and to contribute to his development.
The First Lady hailed Oladele for showcasing academic brilliance Ekiti is noted for, pointing out that the fact that Oladele attended a public secondary school in the state showed that there are many bright minds in government owned schools in the State.
Dr. Oyebanji said Ekiti is celebrating the feat achieved by Oladele because Governor Oyebanji is fully committed to creating environment conducive to learning and moulding of pupils and students in public schools to shining stars who can hold their own anywhere they compete with their peers.
She however counselled boys and girls of school ages against spending much of their productive time on social media instead of facing their studies, regretting that the negative side of social media is taking its toll on many youths who are involved in unwholesome activities.
Dr. Oyebanji however recalled that since inception of the present administration, Ekiti State has been in the news for good reasons describing the feat achieved by Oladele as part of wonderful stories recorded under the administration expressing hope that more of it would come in days ahead.
“I want to congratulate Bright and I thank God for your life. I congratulate you for making us proud as a state. I believe you will go to the Flying School and come out in flying colours.
“We are here to celebrate excellence, we are here to celebrate grace, we are here to celebrate God’s mercy and we are here to celebrate dint of hard work.
“When you get to the Flying School, face your studies as you resume next week, the First Lady said.
Earlier, the best aviation college entrant, Bright Oladele, appreciated government and its contribution to education sector.
“I want to appreciate our Governor and the First Lady for this great thing they have done for me. I had wanted to be a pilot I thank the Governor for supporting me by ensuring the payment of my school fee.”
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