Mmesoma Okonkwo who is a student of Chrisland High School had an outstanding performance in the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination. At just 17 years old, Mmesoma emerged as the world’s best in English in the Cambridge IGCSE examination and received the British Council Outstanding Cambridge Learner’s Award. This is a clear indication that Africa is a Land of Giants and its potentials are limitless.
Mmesoma’s achievement is not only remarkable but also serves as a reminder of the intellectual capacity and potential of Africa. Her success has created a wave of inspiration and motivation for students across the continent to excel academically. With determination and hard work, students like her can make a difference and create a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
As Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie once said, “The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Mmesoma’s achievement is a counter-narrative to the negative stereotypes that have been perpetuated about Africa. It shows that with hard work and perseverance, young Africans can achieve great things and contribute positively to the world.
The British Council Outstanding Cambridge Learner’s Award is a prestigious recognition of learners who have performed exceptionally in the Cambridge International curriculum. Mmesoma’s victory is not only a testimony of her academic prowess but also an indication of the quality of education that students can receive in Nigerian schools.
During an interview with Punch Nigeria, she stated how she attained this excellent result “One major thing was reading all past questions and looking at the pattern of the questions, trying to understand them and I think this helped a lot”.
However, she never expected to exceed expectations but rather wanted to score a good mark. “I wasn’t exactly hoping to be named the best in the world and that was because I didn’t know that the British Council gives out that sort of award but I was aiming high when I took the exam…to make myself proud, to make God proud, and to make my school and family members proud.”
In recent times, Nigeria has been plagued with a lot of negative news, especially with regards to education. However, with Mmesoma’s achievement, there is a renewed hope and belief that there are still excellent students and schools in Nigeria. Mmesoma’s victory serves as a reminder that with the right facilities, resources, and support, Nigerian students can compete favorably with their counterparts from other countries.
The fact that Mmesoma hails from Chrisland High School, a school that has been associated with negative news in the past, shows that there is still hope for redemption and transformation. This gives a positive shade to the image of the school and highlights the potential for change in institutions that are willing to adapt and improve.
Overall, Mmesoma Okonkwo’s achievement is a testament to the intellectual and academic prowess of Africa. It is a reminder that Africa is a Land of Giants, and with hard work, determination, and the right resources, African students can excel academically and compete favorably with their counterparts from other countries.
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