By Editor
Derock Tutors and Derock International Model School, one of the high flyer private schools reputed for academic excellence in Ekiti State, on Sunday, rolled out the drums for her students who performed excellently well in the just concluded 2025 UTME examination conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
It was a moment of pride and testimonies for parents and teachers of the young prodigies who braced all odds to score high marks ranging from 274 to 350 out of 400 total score in this year’s university matriculation examination.
The feat was achieved against the backdrop of abysmally mass failure of candidates in the just concluded examination across the nation.
Speaking to our correspondent in a chat, the proprietor of the college, Mr Femi Apata said although past students of the school had recorded excellent results but the present set of candidates trained by the school broke the record with their superlative performance.
According to him; “The highest score we had in the history of Derock was 331/330, but this time around we had 350, 345 and as many as about thirty students scoring between 270 and 350, very remarkable. So I decided to celebrate them because despite the lapses from JAMB, some students still made it to the top. So, I’m very happy to celebrate them and also to attach cash rewards to these outstanding students so that people coming behind can do better” he said”
On the nationwide mass failure recorded at the recently concluded UTME, the school’s proprietor hinted that the phenomenon did not affect Ekiti but Lagos and some parts of the Eastern Nigeria.
The colourful event was attended by the lucky students and their parents who turned out in their number to share in the glorious moment.
Also in attendance was the Commissioner for Youth Mr. Adebayo Gold, representatives of JAMB, NECO and WAEC as well as the DPO of Oke Ila Police Division.
Father of the student who scored 350 in his address, identified hardwork and prayers as the major ingredients to success which he attributed to his son’s outstanding performance saying that all the celebrants have worked hard and God has granted their hardwork with success.
Similarly Dr Mrs Babalola who spoke next lauded both the proprietor and staff of Derock Tutors for being the moulders of the students put in their care whose result they were celebrating.
She narrated how her son virtually turned into a Pastor preparatory to the exams as he was determined to break record in the family where the highest score was 331. “Brethren, this boy will read from 8 o’clock till 3am until I threatened to beat him before he could go to bed. When they finished writing the exams, I asked him which of the subjects he found difficult, he said physics, but to the glory of God in that physics, he scored 94” she said.
Dr. Otoide who spoke next thanked the teachers and the students for the great achievement despite the unfortunate incident of reported glitches in the JAMB’s operations while appealing to the examination body to up their ante next year
Representing the teachers of Derock Dr Sesan Ojo in his response, appreciated the parents for providing the enabling environment at home for the children who were being celebrated noting that the efforts of the teachers would amount to nothing if the right environment was not provided at home while praising the students for dedicating their time for reading in a world filled with distractions.
“I’m very proud of you while looking forward to see you with first class honours in the university. Thank you”
Some of the celebrated students include Lovelyn Ibilewa Olayinka,296, Babalola Awe, 285, Abioye Ayomide, 320, Ajite Taiwo, 306, Folorunso Triumph, 300, Owoeye Adedeji, 300, Anthony Peter, 302, Adeleye Bose 323, Babalola Richfield, 338, (third best) Oladipo Femi John, 345 (second best) and Anthony Roland Peter, 350 (overall best)
Announcing the cash rewards, Mr Femi Apata who expressed optimism that next year’s JAMB results will be better than the present as he targets 370 benchmark gave N20,000 for the third best student, N30,000 and N100, 000 for second and first student respectively.
However in a dramatic twist, the Commissioner for Youth who presented the awards, doubled the cash awards for all the winners as the ceremony ended with light refreshments.
