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15-yr-old Jamb Top Scorer seeks Scholarship Support to Study Abroad
….As Unilag law bars him from gaining admission
By Joshua Adebayo
Ekene Franklin Ezenala – The 15 Years Old Student who had the highest score in the just released 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has expressed his desire to get scholarship in other to study abroad.
He disclosed that the scholarship if granted, will avail him the opportunity to study Chemical Engineering Abroad.
Recall that the JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, while announcing the release of results disclosed to newsmen that, Ekene will not be considered for admission by UNILAG because of his age.
Worried over his inability to secure admission, Ekene while speaking to Journalist recently, appealed to the institution’s authority to reconsider their position.
He expressed optimism that something can be done to enable him secure university admission.
“I know it is their law and, if it is the will of God, something can (be) done to change the situation. I know I cannot change the law on UNILAG admission criteria. But I hope someone can come to my aide on this age issue,” said Ekene.
“Initially, I wasn’t aware of the UNILAG law which states a student must be 16 years old. Based on that I picked UNILAG as first choice. It is the university law, no one is above it. If I don’t get support from government or JAMB on the age issue, I may wait for next year to write another UTME but if I get scholarship I will accept it. I prefer scholarship that will enable me travel abroad.”
“If I do not get admission or a scholarship, I will prepare for another UTME next year. But I don’t want to waste my high score,” he added.
Ekene who hails from Imo State is currently writing the May/June 2019 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
Meanwhile, Ekene’s mother, Mrs. Ezenala has described his son as an exceptional child. According to her, the intelligent boy did not attend any UTME coaching class or school tutorials before sitting for the examination.
She disclosed that, Ekene has severally represented the school and Lagos State in several competitions where he had won laurels.
Mrs. Ezenala hopes government, organizations or individuals will award Ekene a scholarship to enable him achieve his dream.
“I don’t want his high score in UTME to be wasted because of age issue. If we knew UNILAG will not admit him because of his age, we won’t have encouraged him to apply to the university. I seek the intervention of government and people to solve to this age issue,” said Ekene’s mother.
In a separate interview at Ekene’s school – Meiran Community High School, Meiran, Lagos, some of his teachers and classmates affirmed that the 15-year-old’s has a great academic prowess.
For some others, Ekene was described as genius.
They however appealed to government at various levels to intervene in the issue by assisting him gain admission.
