…..The Face Of Excellence

History has been made in Nigeria’s educational landscape as 15-year-old Afolabi Olumide Ayodeji shatters a long standing record in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scoring an unprecedented 370, the highest mark recorded in over a decade.

For more than 10 years, no candidate nationwide has achieved this extraordinary feat.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) confirmed that no individual has scored 370 since at least 2013, making Afolabi’s achievement a true landmark in academic excellence.

The record is an all time one, since the commencement of JAMB CBT in 2013.

Afolabi, a brilliant young scholar with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, has become the pride of a nation hungry for positive youth representation.

A student of Icons Comprehensive College Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, with his dedication, discipline, and academic prowess have not only earned himself this incredible score, but have also reignited a national conversation about nurturing young intellectual talent.

Today, we proudly unveil the face of this young prodigy to the world, a face that symbolizes brilliance, determination, and hope for the future of education in Nigeria.

Speaking on his achievement, Afolabi expressed humility and gratitude, as he said that, “I didn’t set out to break any record, I only wanted to give my best, I thank God, my parents, and my teachers for believing in me.”

This achievement serves as a clarion call to educational stakeholders, mentors, and policymakers to invest deeper in identifying and supporting gifted students across the nation.

Afolabi’s story is not just about one boy’s record breaking score, it is about what is possible when potential meets opportunity.

A 29-year-old female lawyer, Ms. Peace Chidinmma Igbo, has been brought before an Ebutta-Metta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State for failing to produce a suspect she stood bail for.

According to a charge sheet,” That you Peace Chidinma Igbo ‘F’ on the 25th day of November 2024 at the Nigeria Police Force CID Annex Alagbon, Lagos did conspire together to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice by failing to provide one Sodiq Kazem which you stood bail for in a case of conspiracy, burglary, unlawful entry, stealing and given false information in a bail sum of (N1,000,000.00) One Million Naira at the Nigeria Police Force CID Annex Alagbon Lagos and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

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In his remarks, the complainant’s lawyer, Mr. Olu Akanbi, stressed that Miss Igbo should have known better than to put herself in such a situation.

Akanbi stated that Miss Igbo was protecting other individuals involved in the matter, essentially taking the fall for them.

“These individuals, who are being investigated by the police at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Alagbon Annexe, are reportedly using retired and serving senior police officers to shield themselves and frustrate the investigation.

The lawyer extolled FCID police officers for their due diligence.

Mr Akanbi said as a legal practitioner, Ms Igbo’s actions over the matter have raised questions about her professional conduct. He further stated that Ms Peace Chidinma Igbo and Mr Sodiq Kazeem are both staff of Green Birch Tech Limited and are also conspirators with the other staff now at large.

Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned to May 20, 2025, leaving Miss Igbo’s fate hanging in the balance.

President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that recent government policies are not meant to punish Nigerians but are necessary interventions to prevent the economy from collapsing.

Tinubu made this known at the 55th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in Abuja.

The president was represented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.

Dangiwa was, in turn, represented by Dr Edna Tobi, Special Assistant for International Cooperation and Partnership in the Ministry.

The conference’s theme was, “Transform, Invest, Drive: Optimising Real Estate Finance and Taxation.”

It brought together stakeholders to deliberate on the intersection of real estate and fiscal policy.

The president said that the administration was committed to diversifying the economy and expanding revenue sources.

This, he said, informed the government’s drive to implement policies that enhanced income from taxation while upholding fairness and transparency.

“Our decision to reform Nigeria’s tax system and fiscal policy was deliberate and strategic,” he said.

“It was a courageous and bold move aimed at addressing the suffocating economic challenges facing the nation.”

Tinubu stated that reforms were tailored to create a more investment-friendly environment, particularly in the real estate sector, and to boost job creation and economic growth.

He acknowledged the critical role of estate surveyors and valuers in achieving these objectives and expressed the government’s willingness to partner with NIESV to deliver effective tax administration and revenue utilisation.

Delivering the keynote address, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, described the real estate sector as a vital but under-assessed part of Nigeria’s economy.

Adedeji, represented by Chief Economic Adviser Prof. Mohammed Salisu,identified challenges such as informality, data fragmentation, and inconsistent valuation standards as obstacles to effective taxation.

“The Tax Administration Bill will provide clearer procedures and responsibilities for taxpayers, enhance compliance, and reduce inefficiencies and multiple taxation,” he said.

Adedeji called for the cooperation of NIESV in standardising property valuation methods and supporting the implementation of reforms.

NIESV President, Victor Alonge, described the conference as a milestone event, stating that the outcomes would help reposition land, housing, and infrastructure policy in Nigeria.

He assured that the institute would present a comprehensive communiqué to the government, containing resolutions and actionable policy suggestions to drive national development